Pharmacy Could Replace Louie’s in Teaneck

A major drug store chain could open at the recently closed Louie’s Charcoal Pit on Cedar Lane and two other adjoining properties, according to town officials. 

Councilman Yitz Stern told Patch an unnamed pharmacy chain had filed an application with the town’s zoning board to build a store at the Louie’s site, an adjacent storefront and the nextdoor gas station at Cedar Lane and Elm Avenue. 

A zoning board hearing on the matter would likely not be scheduled until March or February, Stern said. 

"It's unfortunate that Louie’s left," he said. "These are challenging times on Cedar Lane." 

Two officials confirmed a Walgreens was proposed at the Cedar Lane property, but the zoning application was not yet completed. A Walgreens spokesman said the company would not comment unless a lease had been signed. 

CVS and Rite Aid representatives said they had no new stores to announce in town. 

Mayor Mohammed Hameeduddin said he was aware of an application, but details were unclear. Louie’s owner Dino Stamatelatos could not be immediately reached for comment. 

If built, the pharmacy would become the third in the immediate area. A CVS store is located on the next block and Louie’s is across from J&J Pharmacy. Cedar Lane is also home to another CVS east of Queen Anne Road.

. In a 2010 interview, Stamatelatos said he looked to sell the landmark diner and might open another restaurant elsewhere in New Jersey.

The diner’s closing came shortly after the historic Cedar Lane Cinemas shut down and has left merchants worried about the future of Teaneck’s large shopping district.

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Updated 3:30 p.m. Thursday