At the intersection of Woodland and Lake Avenues in St. James sits one of those confusing properties that at first glance looks like a house but is actually a commercial building.
And you can add it to the list of vacant properties in Smithtown.
The building at 217 Lake Ave. was formerly occupied by the law office of John Belford but now is on the market. Genesis Real Estate Advisors, which also lists the vacant Rite-Way Auto Shop at the corner of Lake and Middle Country Road, is holding the listing. While the property is not listed online, Smithtown tax records show the building carries a $7,600 annual property tax bill.
So what would you like to see there?
While vacancies in the area notably plague Main Street Smithtown and Middle Country Road, St. James still has its share of blight, though new businesses seem to be grabbing up the empty parcels.
The former home of Energy Gym on Route 25A is set to become a medical office complex, and a new ice cream parlor -- The New York Stuffed Cone Company -- has already moved in next door.
Meanwhile, Werner Boys Glass and Mirror has left its Lake Avenue home, though the former owners said a salon is going to set up shop there soon.
But that doesn't mean vacancies are turning over pretty fast in St. James. The old Wine Bar and Irish Viking pub continue to decay on Lake.
Share your ideas for 217 Lake Ave. in the comments.
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