Village May Replace Hilltop Restaurant with Walgreens

Not long ago, Nyack's Hilltop Restaurant was a village hallmark, a place to take the family for seafood and drinks. But since it closed its doors, the building has deteriorated rapidly—and become an eyesore at the Route 59 entrance into the village.

In recent months, however, village officials have been in talks with Walgreens, a franchise pharmacy, about installing a branch in the location. The Walgreens would feature a pharmacy, photo development area, green landscape and an assortment of groceries and household items. Though the store will not initially run 24 hours a day, it may in the future.

Walgreens requested approval in January of this year, an appeal that has yet to be met.

When Nyack's Architectural Review Board began its discussion with Walgreens representative earlier this year, they set a number of stipulations. The Board required Walgreens to alter the store's look in order to blend in with similar-looking structures, like Nyack Express and the village's fire houses. The Board also requested Walgreens change its awning style to one more suited to the village.

 At July 21 board meeting, Walgreens representatives presented the revisions.

"We have tried to 'Nyack' the store's look," said David MacCartney, an attorney working alongside Walgreens' developers.

MacCartney noted Walgreen's has agreed to change the color and size of its bricks to match nearby structures. Walgreen's standard green awnings will also be changed to grey.

"Walgreens' branding—its look—is responsible for its success as a market leader," MacCartney said. "Changing the colors and brick-face is major, but we've compromised."

Still, some village residents are upset. Kathleen Christopherson, who has a home office in the area, noted the Walgreens construction would create obtrusive lighting and traffic and infringe on her property.

The board and Walgreens representatives later discussed the signs Walgreens intends to construct—a contentious issue that remains unresolved, and may delay or end the project outright.

Walgreens plans to install an electronic sign on Route 59. The sign would display Walgreens information and prices along with community information, MacCartney explained.

"For a store to be successful, signage is critical," he said. "It's an attention grabber; people see it and go."

But the board's apprehension was palpable.

"[The sign] is so out of character I would urge my board not to allow it under any circumstances," said board chairperson Eileen Kuster-Collins. "We're not open to argument; we don't want a flashing light board at the entrance of our community."

MacCartney responded, noting the store could not be successful without the electronic sign. Studies have shown a 12-20 percent drop in sales when the sign is lacking, he added.

The board noted it was open to compromise, like installing a manual sign rather than an electronic one (think of Best Western's sign on Route 9W).

"We really want this business to succeed," said Trustee Mary Mathews. "But we want it to fit in with Nyack."