New 7-Eleven Taking Shape on Route 347

A new building that has stirred local curiosity on the corner of Terry Road and Route 347 is quickly taking the shape of a new 7-Eleven.

Employees in the Town of Smithtown's Planning Department confirmed Monday that a new 7-Eleven is being constructed on the northwest corner of Terry Road and Route 347 in Smithtown, opposite Walgreens.

The paved site, a gas station several years back, has been vacant for several years. A chain link fence went up around the property in early April, screening off the space for construction to begin.

When construction started, workers removed a large bike frame that served as a roadside memorial for Ronkonkoma boy killed at the intersection in 2009. According to Long Island Business News, Nicholas Svercel, 15, was riding his bike northbound across Terry Road at roughly 4 p.m. when he was hit and killed by driver Alex Helkin, 25, of Farmingdale, on Nov. 26, 2009.

His family and friends had left the frame of Svercel's blackened BMW bike on the corner of the intersection, whose white bike chain had been shaped into a heart. Standing near was a white cross decorated with red ribbons and several burnt candles from prior vigils.

Now, most if not all traces of the memorial have been removed to make way for the new convenience store.

The popular convenience chain has several franchises near the future Smithtown site. One location at 206 Smithtown Bypass is less than 2 miles away, or less than a five-minute trip on the same roadway.

Tell us, what do you think of the new 7-Eleven being built?