The long-vacant Jonesy’s Hardware building in Center Moriches is getting a major facelift under a plan by developer Ghulam Sarwar to bring new life to the Main Street property.
Sarwar, who is also renovating the old Smitty’s Hardware in Mastic Beach and is behind plans for a cemetery at the former Spadaro Airport in East Moriches, said crews are transforming the 1934 brick structure into two modern commercial spaces.
“We’re doing everything new—windows, doors, siding, bathrooms, paint, floors—everything inside and outside,” Sarwar said. “It’s going to be beautiful.”
The renovation will create about 2,500 square feet of space that could accommodate a restaurant, café, bakery, or retail shops, according to the developer. Tenants have yet to be secured, Sarwar said, adding, “Any legal business is welcome, but I will not allow smoke shops.”
The building, on the corner of Canal Street in the heart of the downtown business district, has sufficient sewage capacity for a restaurant, Sarwar noted, and will include six new parking spaces behind the property, in addition to street parking. He hopes to have renovations completed by the end of the year, with leasing to follow soon after.
“The recent work is encouraging, and I hope to see it continue through completion and then into occupancy by a use that adds to our community,” said Brookhaven Supervisor Dan Panico, a Center Moriches resident.
Local realtor Gerri Sapanaro also welcomed the project. “I’m very happy to see that there’s finally someone fixing the building and helping to beautify our community,” she said.
The Main Street structure, which operated as a hardware store starting in 1972 under Richard Jones and later as Druek’s True Value before relocating to the King Kullen shopping center, has sat empty for a decade. “The project will make the property look nice again,” Sarwar said.