Chick-Fil-A Planning Its First Hudson Valley Location

SEE UPDATE: Hudson Valley's First Chick-Fil-A Is A Go

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — An empty bank will make way for Westchester County's first Chick-fil-A, if plans are approved by lawmakers.

A quick trip to the drive-thru for the elusive chicken sandwich native to North America but unseen in these parts could soon, for the first time ever, be in the cards for Hudson Valley residents. Chick-fil-A has plans to build a standalone outlet with a two-lane drive-thru and seating for up to 54 customers at a disused HSBC Bank on Central Park Avenue in Yonkers.

Plans for the nearly 4,000 square-foot restaurant still require approval from city officials. The company has previously faced opposition to previous plans in the region. Most recently, some state lawmakers objected to the company being named as a vendor at refurbished New York State Thruway rest stops.

SEE ALSO: Bringing Chick-fil-A To NY Thruway Rest Stops Sparks Controversy

Assemblyman Harry B. Bronson, D-Rochester, wrote in a letter to the Thruway Authority Executive Director Matthew Driscoll, co-signed by Democratic Assemblymembers Deborah Glick and Daniel O'Donnell, both of Manhattan, that Chick-fil-A and its founders "have a long and controversial history of opposing the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and families."

Bronson called out the chain's CEO Dan T. Cathy for making public comments opposing same-sex marriage and, through a charitable foundation, donating millions of dollars to organizations hostile to gay rights.

For its part, the company says that it does not have a political or social agenda. The developers say the newest project will be a boon to the local economy at a time when the restaurant sector is struggling.

"Chick-fil-A is proposing to invest $1.5 million in the City of Yonkers and support the construction industry by hiring over 12 construction trades to redevelop the currently-vacant site," company representatives said in filings with the city. "After supporting 60-80 part time construction jobs for a 24-week construction duration, Chick-fil-A will be hiring 125 to 150 local team members to run the store."

Patch's Michael Woyton contributed to this article.