Locals Still Hope Crusty Pizza Hut Eyesore Can Be Salvaged

It's not Hauppauge's fault that one of its most recognizable landmarks is the vacant and decaying former Pizza Hut building on Route 111.

Maybe it's the fact that it sits on a roadway that nearly everyone in town uses daily. Or perhaps it's that distinctive Pizza Hut architecture that makes it stand out among other vacant eyesores. Either way, when Hauppauge locals talk to us about blight, Pizza Hut comes up.

We asked readers on our Facebook pages Wednesday if they had any faith that the building would see new life after years of decay. It's currently listed for rent by JCS Real Estate Management Co.

Here we're a few of the answers:

-- "Olive Garden should move into that spot. The only one around is in centereach. Could def use one closer."

-- "I wish I had the money to buy the land and make it into a park. It would be small but we need something pretty to look at in that area."

-- "Dollar store!!"

-- "Taco Bell would make restaurant row complete."

-- "No. And we already have enough traffic in the area as it is without adding another fast food joint. I like the park idea!"

-- "I think it should be a parking lot...the parking area in front of Jade Garden and Brancinelli's is a nightmare to get in and out. Traffic on Rt. 111 and Townline Rd makes it worse...I avoid that area as much as I can. Adding another business to an already crowded area is ridiculous. I'm surprise that the building itself is still standing...what an eyesore!"

-- "Branchinelli's should take it over."

-- "Major franchise pizza like that does NOT belong on Long Island, where we have some of the best local New York pizza, privately owned, and local chains. Pizza Hut is garbage compared to a lot of the privately owned pizzerias here."