By John Tozzi
“In order to fit designer appliances in kitchen type settings…we needed to make the store a little bit larger,” said Gregg Richard, the company's president, in a recent phone interview.Despite a letter advertising a “demolition sale,” Richard said the company had not yet decided whether to knock down the entire store or leave some portions standing while adding another level.The Long Island appliance and electronics chain sent the letter, dated Dec. 23, to area customers announcing that the remaining stock at the Auburndale showroom would be sold off at discount because the company is “totally demolishing” the store in order to rebuild.But on Dec. 29, according to DOB records, the department denied a permit application for an 11,700-square foot, $1.2 million expansion to add a second floor to the building. That application was originally filed in July.The DOB did grant two applications, filed in December, for a heavy duty shed and a plywood fence to be installed during construction. Neither had been put up Tuesday afternoon.Richard said the new store would have a showroom for appliances on the top floor and room for electronics on the ground floor. The current store, which has been there since 1986, has only one floor.”As our business is changing, it's difficult to change existing showrooms, especially one that's very small and we can't really do much to it,” Richard said. Employees at the Auburndale store will be temporarily relocated to four other locations in the area-Astoria, Woodside, New Hyde Park and Elmont-until the new store is completed in May or June, Richard said.DOB spokeswoman Jennifer Givner said the store would need to obtain a permit and notify neighbors before any demolition takes place. Susan Seinfeld, the district manager for Community Board 11, confirmed that no notice of demolition had been filed.The store, located at 42-99 Francis Lewis Boulevard, is adjacent to a four-story apartment building that fronts on 201st Street.Kenny Williams, a manager at P.C. Richard, said the store would be open through Jan. 16, and merchandise will be discounted by between 30 percent and 50 percent.After the planned demolition on Jan. 18, P.C. Richard will build a new showroom set to open in May, Williams said. “They're remodeling the store,” he said. “They're doing the foundation and everything.”P.C. Richard, founded on Long Island in 1909, operates nearly 50 stores in the New York metro area.Reach reporter John Tozzi by e-mail at news@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300 Ext. 188.
