The Village of Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees voted to approve conditional use permits for two new businesses at its Wednesday, March 18, meeting.
The board approved Sweet Sugar to operate a bubble tea store at 10 Grace Ave and L&L to operate a beauty spa at 47C Middle Neck Road.
Deputy Mayor Lawrence Katz voted against the permit for Sweet Sugar, and Deputy Mayor Pamela Marksheid abstained.
Katz objected to what he called the owner, Min Li’s, lack of planning to successfully operate a bubble tea shop at the same location where two others went out of business in the last three years.
“I feel very uncomfortable that we’re setting this situation up for another failure,” said Trustee Michael DeLuccia, who ultimately voted to approve the permit. “When there is turnover, consistent turnover, I don’t think it benefits the village.”
Min Li, who was assisted in translation by his friend, Xishan Jin, said he believed his prior business experience demonstrated a proven track record of success.
“He has his first store in Flushing already, and the store has been doing pretty good. You know how competitive Flushing is for bubble tea and desserts,” Jin said.
Marksheid also noted that two other bubble tea locations recently closed and that Li will face steep competition with around eight or nine other locations in the area.
Li said he plans to sell bubble tea, desserts, and pre-made sandwiches, which he will heat in the microwave. Trustees expressed concern about his plan to cook eggs in a waffle machine, since the location has no kitchen.
The board approved for Li to operate his business from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., seven days a week, and for the business to have two full-time employees and one part-time employee.
Source: LI Press
