Plans for a multiplex movie theater at the former Walmart property on Route 58 took a step forward Thursday night after the Riverhead Zoning Board of Appeals approved a number of variances, including one that will allow the building to be slightly taller than the zoning permits.
Residents who live near the shopping center where a multiplex is proposed on Route 58 in Riverhead are concerned the height of the new stadium seating movie theater will negatively impact their quality of life.
The property owner of the site of a proposed multiplex movie theater on Route 58 is exploring whether it can include a drive-through restaurant in the plan, according to Riverhead deputy town attorney Dawn Thomas.
The first Facebook comment we received on a story we published online last week about plans for a multiplex in Riverhead said it all.
“Builder: Cinema Deal is Sealed.”
“Hazeltine to the Movies?”
“Mulling Tanger Multiplex?”
Those are just some of the headlines published by the News-Review over the years regarding proposals to build multiplex movie theaters in Riverhead.
And, of course, none of them was ever built.
A proposed 50,340-square-foot, 10-to-12-screen multiplex movie theater at the site of the former Walmart on Route 58 was unanimously approved by the Suffolk County Planning Commission Wednesday.