New vision revealed for Snouder's building

A foundation trying to preserve Oyster Bay's historic Snouder's building has pushed for an educational use for the downtown structure. Many in the community preferred something more commercial.

With the group's new detailed vision for the building, after nearly seven months of work, both approaches may be satisfied.

Snouder's Corner Drug Store Foundation unveiled its plans last week, kicking off an effort to raise $3 million to purchase and repurpose the South Street structure that closed in December. The group's new website, snouders.org, describes a goal of creating a "vital commercial and social hub" featuring a coffee house/cafe and hamlet information center.

"Once again, we will have an active, vibrant, commercially based and historically sensitive venue that will not only serve as a communal hub for, and about, the residents of Oyster Bay, but as the starting point for all our visitors," the group wrote on the website.

Ray Eaton, the foundation's executive director, said he hopes to host a forum to discuss plans and display renderings of the proposed renovations by Glen Cove architects Smiros & Smiros. The plans require stripping additions to re-emphasize the original Queen Anne tower and adding a veranda for outdoor dining.

The foundation's vision has evolved since December, when its plans focused on reproducing the old Snouder's soda fountain around educational and meeting space. But some hamlet businesses and residents, while supportive of the preservation effort, said such a prominent location would be best used commercially.

"It's a natural," said Isaac Kremer, Oyster Bay Main Street Association executive director. "It's one of the highest-visibility locations downtown, so to not have a commercial use there would be self-defeating."

Jim Smiros, an Oyster Bay hamlet resident whose firm created the proposed design, acknowledged Snouder's "iconic status" while noting the building had been renovated so often that much of its 19th century framework was obscured.

His renderings return the building's second floor to prominence by removing ground-floor extensions and add the porch at street level.

Donations are being solicited through a link on the foundation website, but Eaton didn't say how much money he's raised. He previously estimated it would take $1 million to purchase the building and at least $2 million for the restoration.