UPDATE: Demolition Nearly Complete on Former Smithville Cafe

As of 6 p.m. this evening, only a small portion of the structure that once house the Smithville Cafe, among many other businesses, was still standing.

"It's the end of an era," a lone bicyclist said as he gazed at the construction site.

Back hoes, dump trucks and bobcats were all over the corner property at Bellmore Avenue and Bellmore Road early this morning, chipping away at the building.

They continued to work throughout the day in 80+ degree temperatures, and even had to water down the debris.

The demolition permit was approved by the Town of Hempstead Building Department just two days ago and work has already begun.

Last November, an early-morning fire gutted the landmark Bellmore eatery. Fire officials almost immediately determined that four-alarm blaze was arson.

The North Bellmore-based company SWR Unlimited was contracted to complete the demolition, however there is no word yet on plans for the site. 

History About Building

This building has been a part of the community since the 1860s. According to the former Smithville Cafe's Web site, "one of the earliest references to it is in the 'Beer, Comstock and Cline Atlas' published in 1873."

It was then used as loding for hunters and fishermen who traveled from the city and then as a courthouse in late 19th century.

Owned by J.G Debert, this building operated as the Smithville Cafe since the early 1900s and was named for the community it was located in, Smithville. Laura's BBQ Roadhouse was the most recent tenant.

Do you know of other restaurants/businesses at this location? E-mail me at jaime@patch.com.