Roanoke Traffic Circle Plaza Filling Back Up

Less than a year after Aid Auto Stores went out of business and just about two years after Suffolk Off Track Betting cut its losses and left town, the strip mall near the Roanoke traffic circle is filling back up.

Advanced Auto Parts opened its doors on Tuesday, according to an assistant manger on site – who had previously worked with Aid. The auto parts shop is offering buy one-get one deals as part of a grand opening, as well as a $10 discount on purchases over $25.

Right next door, work continues on opening up an Island Federal Cred Union branch. According to the company website, the branch should be open in late spring, and work was underway on Wednesday.

Moving into the old OTB site will be a new store to the area, though Aaron's has over 2,000 locations in the United States and Canada, according to regional manager Dave Epright.

Aaron's will be the third such shop on Long Island, joining locations in Central Islip and Hempstead. The store – in business since 1955 – offers lease to own programs as well as a low-price guarantee, with an inventory including "anything that goes into homes - from furnishings to appliances to computers," Epright said.

Epright said Aaron's will be holding a grand opening of its own on May 3.

As of now, the only vacant space in the plaza remains the former Ground Round.