Central Avenue

Strolling and shopping on Central Avenue

The word "central" boils down to meaning of, at or forming "the center," and that is truly what Central Avenue does. The roadway begins in the Five Towns at Franklin Place in Woodmere and travels into Cedarhurst, Lawrence and across the Nassau Expressway into Far Rockaway, before meeting Mott Avenue. However, it is in Cedarhurst and Lawrence where Central Avenue forms the heart of the two largest Five Towns villages. From Prospect Avenue to Rockaway Turnpicke along with several side streets — such as Cedarhurst Avenue — Central Avenue forges the village’s business district. From clothes to food to jewelry and nearly everything in between, it can all be found in an area once called the "Rodeo Drive of Long Island’s South Shore," which was considered the focal point of fashion for more than 100 years. There are roughly 280 storefronts in Cedarhurst’s business district. “Central Avenue and its many side streets is a network of unusual sophistication,” Cedarhurst mayor Benjamin Weinstock said. “They represent the very best in every genre of commerce and the vital hub of the Five Towns, while retaining the old world virtues of customer service and charm. They truly are the business heartbeat of any shopping experience.” Along with all the stores and restaurants, there are also

Tim Baker/Herald photos Top photo: Central Avenue is the focal point of the business areas in Cedarhurst and Lawrence villages. Bottom photo: Strolling along Central Avenue is made more convenient by the proximity to many stores and access to benches for a brief rest.

local landmarks that mark the constant change communities undergo throughout time. At the intersection of Central and Locust avenues sits Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns, and Rockaway High School that was the Number Three School in the Lawrence School District.

On the opposite side of Central Avenue stands Kulanu Academy, a school for youth and young adults with special needs, which once housed the parochial school connected to St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church on the northwest corner of Central Avenue.

At the intersection of Central and Cedarhurst avenues — the main four corners of the shopping area — pedestrians can contemplate their next destination as motorists decide to pull into either a parking space on the street or one of the off-street parking lots.

Washington Avenue serves as the dividing line between Cedarhurst and Lawrence, and on the southwest corner stands the regal Lawrence-Cedarhurst firehouse. Lawrence village’s business district is not as expansive as its neighbors, but can boast being home to the National Council of Jewish Women-Peninsula Section offices, and the charitable organization’s thrift shop. The headquarters of the Achiezer Community Resource Center is also there. Further west is Peninsula Public Library, Village Hall and Temple Israel of Lawrence.

“It means a lot,” Lawrence mayor Alex Edelman said about the village’s section of Central Avenue. “We only occupy a small portion, but we are very proud of it, and the stores spent a lot of money fixing up and maintaining their buildings. We have a lot people coming to the restaurants from other areas.” — Jeffrey Bessen

Top photo: Central Avenue in Cedarhurst is a thriving business district with roughly 280 storefronts. Middle photo: Organizations such as the National Council of Jewish Women call Lawrence's Central Avenue home. Bottom photo: Central Avenue in Cedarhurst offers an array of places to shop and dine. 17 2022-2023 - www.liherald.com

Top photo: Along with the many businesses on Central Avenue are local institutions such as the Hebrew Academy of the Five Towns and Rockaway High School in Cedarhurst. Bottom photo: St. Joachim’s Roman Catholic Church, a stalwart house of worship, is at the intersection of Central Avenue and McGlynn Place, in Cedarhurst.