Crime & Safety
UPDATED: Former Bellmore Landmark Restaurant to be Demolished Tomorrow
Demolition on the structure that once housed the Smithville Cafe is set to begin.
Just yesterday, the Town of Hempstead Building Department approved the demolition permit for the owner of the former Smithville Cafe.
Town of Hempstead spokesperson Susie Trenkle-Pokalsky said the building owner will begin demolition tomorrow.
As residents may recall, it was just about six months ago that an early-morning fire gutted the landmark Bellmore eatery located at the triangle formed by the crossing of Bellmore Avenue and Bellmore Road.
Find out what's happening in Bellmorefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Fire officials almost immediately determined that arson caused the raging four-alarm fire that destroyed the then vacant restaurant. The blaze started just before 1 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 30, 2009. About 100 firefighters from the North Bellmore and Bellmore Fire Departments, assisted by the East Meadow and Wantagh Fire Departments battled the fully engulfed building blaze for four hours. There were no injuries.
Just recently, one arrest in connection with the arson was made, North Bellmore Civic Association officers announced at last month's meeting.
