Hilltop Demolition Set for This Month

The dilapidated Hilltop Restaurant on Rt. 59 in Nyack will remain standing for another few weeks—after that, the once-popular dining spot will be torn down and .

The demolition is the culmination of a months-long debate over whether or not Nyack should house a Walgreens. The pharmacy had to make several concessions last year—like scaling down signage and lights—to win the village's approval.

Currently, Walgreens officials are working alongside the Nyack building department to hammer out the demolition process. Passers-by can already see construction workers—some in hazmat suits—scoping out the structure.

"Walgreens has submitted an application to demolish two buildings," explained Kathleen Harahan of the building and zoning department. "They're set to take down the Hilltop Restaurant, and the adjacent Hilltop Antiques building."

"We're processing the application now," added Don Yacopino, Nyack's building inspector. "We're waiting on more information."

The Hilltop Restaurant had a long run and storied history in Nyack, and many residents are sorry to see the landmark go. The eatery started up in 1947 when four local brothers—all returned from World War II—joined forces to open the Italian eatery. The kitchen boasted authentic Italian meals like manicotti and spaghetti, recalls long-time Nyacker and .

The restaurant's signature dish—Lobster Della Fano, lobster in a scampi sauce—was dreamed up by Nyack's then-village attorney. "It was fabulous," recalls Leiner. "They sold buckets of the stuff."

The Hilltop, in addition to serving as a place to take the family on a Saturday or Sunday night, doubled as an ad hoc meeting place for village and town Republicans. "There were political galas there in the 50s, 60s, 70s and early 80s," Leiner said. "Nyack was the power circle of county politics... if you wanted to find a politician after a meeting, you headed to the Hilltop."

The eatery closed down in 2006, when the last of the brothers—then in his 80s—no longer had the ability to carry on. "I have many fond memories of the place," Leiner said. "It was a fun place to go, where you knew everybody... it was a tradition for people who grew up in Nyack."

The Walgreens details

Take a look at Patch's past coverage of the Walgreens project by clicking here. Once the pharmacy is up and running, this is what it will offer:

• The store will not initially run 24 hours a day, but it may in the future.
• The colors, awnings and architectural aesthetics of the structure will stray from the Walgreens norm to better blend in with the village.
• The store will feature a pharmacy, photo development area and an assortment of groceries and household items.
• Walgreens will develop the landscape surrounding the store into green space.
• The only signs that are larger than village code are "Stop," "One Way" and other traffic signs. They have been enlarged for safety.