Starbucks to Open First Wantagh Store

Starbucks, the largest coffeehouse company in the world, will soon be opening its first Wantagh store.

The international coffeehouse chain founded in 1971 is opening up shop where Dunkin Donuts was formerly housed in Willow Wood Shops at 1143 Wantagh Ave.

Starbucks has signed a 25-year lease at the Wantagh shopping center, according to Wilbur Breslin, president and Chief Executive Officer of Garden City-based Breslin Realty, which owns Willow Wood Shops. Breslin said he expects Starbucks to open its new Wantagh business next to in January.

president Christopher Brown said he is excited to have a Starbucks opening up in Wantagh for the first time. Brown said Wantagh came close to obtaining a Starbucks a few years ago when the Seattle-based company nearly opened a store affiliated with on Sunrise Highway before the deal fell through.

"It should be a nice addition to the area," Brown said.

The closest current Starbucks locations to Wantagh are on 4301 Merrick Road in Massapequa, 3240 Hempstead Turnpike in Levittown and 2015 Merrick Road in Merrick.

Starbucks did not respond to a media inquiry seeking comment on its new Wantagh location. There are currently more than 17,000 Starbucks stores in 57 countries.