BJ’s Wholesale Club Coming To Bensonhurst

Our little sister site has nabbed its first scoop! Bensonhurst Bean is reporting that Thor Equities – the developer behind much of Coney Island’s interim destruction – is a stone’s throw away from receiving the green light to build a BJ’s Wholesale Club along the Bensonhurst-Bath Beach waterfront.

Thor’s plan calls for a two-story 214,000-square-foot retail space near Caesar’s Bay Shopping Center. The four-unit commercial project, to occupy 1752 Shore Parkway (at Bay 38th Street), is being called Brooklyn Bay Center, and will house a BJ’s Wholesale Club, with three remaining retail units, including, they hope, a restaurant, on the second floor.

The plan went by Community Board 11 with nary a whisper in opposition, save for a long-time small business advocate who wants establishments like this to be built inside existing commercial corriders, driving foot traffic to area merchants.

The community is also asking for a few commitments from the developer, like the construction of a park, public access to the waterfront and even an Eco Dock.

The project goes before the Borough President tonight, at 5 p.m. in Borough Hall. His recommendations will be passed on to the Department of City Planning.

Oh, and the cherry on top for taxpayers? Assemblyman Peter Abbate is looking to secure state funds to relocate the eastbound Belt Parkway entrance further east to keep it clear of the development site.

Check out Bensonhurst Bean for the full story and to weigh in on the proposal.