Mineola board OKs ‘Wow Mom’s World’ to open on Jericho Turnpike

Rebecca Klar
Natalie Economou, a Manhasset resident, was approved by the village board to open America's first WowMoms World franchise location in Mineola. (Photo by Rebecca Klar)
Natalie Economou, a Manhasset resident, was approved by the village board to open America's first WowMoms World franchise location in Mineola. (Photo by Rebecca Klar)

The Mineola village board unanimously voted to approve a permit for Manhasset resident Natalie Economou to open the country’s first WowMoms World franchise location in Mineola during Wednesday night’s board meeting.

The center will open up at 328 East Jericho Turnpike, in the shopping center with North Shore Farms grocery store, taking over what was once 99 Cents Paradise.

The Canada-based company offers yoga, art and fitness classes to recent and soon-to-be mothers.

The center gives moms a chance to unwind “guilt free” while their babies can play, Judy Simoncic, an attorney representing Economou said.

There will also be one-on-one swimming lessons for children three months to three years old, with pools about 3-feet deep, above ground and around the size of a spa, and a snack bar offering healthy snacks such as wraps, smoothies and muffins.

Nancy Doyle, a resident who lives near the shopping center, said she thinks the center is “a wonderful idea,” but she does not like the location.

Doyle said parking in that lot is already a problem when North Shore Farms is at peak hours.

Two other residents that live nearby, Brian Digrazia and Jed Liebman, both said they support the plan.

Digrazia said, as someone who lives “a stone throw away,” he thinks Wow Mom’s World will be a good addition to the area. He also said he spoke to moms in the area who also said they like the idea of the center opening up.

Deputy Mayor Paul Pereira said he’d be “hard pressed” to find a lower impact use of the lot.

The resolution passed 4-0. Trustee Dennis Walsh was absent from the meeting.

During the meeting the board also voted to approve the opening of an emergency veterinary facility at 259 Jericho Turnpike.

Dr. Scott Benson, a veterinarian for 40 years who is from Rockville Centre, said the center will be similar to an urgent care center in medicine.

The center would be open from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. and cater to dogs and cats.

Benson said he picked Mineola due to its central location.

All present board members voted in favor of the application.

During the meeting the board also voted to amend an application it approved in November for Peggy Chan to open a social adult day care center at 52 Jericho Turnpike.

The plans did not change much, according to architect Jason Taylor who came aboard the project after it was initially approved, but the second presentation was to clarify some details.

The new plan includes different rooms for activities for the seniors, such as a game room, movie room, hair and nail salon and quiet room.

Whereas the original proposal had the different areas and activities along the perimeter of one, main open room, the new plans have designated rooms for the activities, Taylor said.

Pereira said he doesn’t think the use radically changed.

He and the other present board members all voted to approve Chan’s amended plans.

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