About this column:
Each week we will spotlight a different commercial vacancy in Tewksbury, giving readers a chance to make suggestions as to the type of business they would like to see go there.Things are buzzing over at Wamesit Place. Harrow's Chicken Pies moved in last fall and Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt is moving in this summer. These new arrivals make this the perfect time to land a new business to occupy the building that once housed the El Pollo Loco restaurant. It's time once again to put on your planner and developer's hat and tell us what business you think should ocupy this cornerstone of Wamesit Place.
The sign is still there. At one point, the vacant lot along Route 38 in South Tewksbury was going to be the home to Sughrue Commons, a small shopping center. These days, the property is for sale. So the question remains -- what will be built there. And we ask our readers to put on their developer and planner hats and tell us, what would you like to see built there.
Officially it's known as the Hardy-Pike House. But most recently, 464 Main St. was the address for A Novel Cafe. Developer Marc Ginsburg sunk several hundred thousand dollars into renovating the building and it is in pristine condition. Unfortunately, A Novel Cafe closed after less than a year. Now the building is for sale. Who should buy the property and what type of business should occupy this town gem? Put on your developer/town planner hat and participate in the latest round of Visions for Vacanices.
In our latest edition of Visions for Vacancies, we take another look at the Rite-Aid Plaza. Some months ago, readers came up with several outstanding ideas for what should go in the space that was once home to the pharmacy. However there are several other vacant store fronts in that plaza. So put on your developer hat and tell us -- what types of businesses should lease those spaces and fill out the plaza?
When we asked readers what business, recently closed, they would like to have back, many said The Black Olive, located ion a small plaza at the intersection of Livingston and Main Streets. So that brings up an interesting question. If it was so popular, why did it fail? And the second question would be, what should take its place? Would another ethnic restaurant work there? Was The Black Olive maybe too ethnic for the taste of Tewksbury diners? The space has plenty of possibilities. The location is fabulous. It's in the hands of you, our readers now. You are the planners and developers. …
I'll admit, I know very little about the history of this building. But clearly there is more to it than meets the eye. This Main Street location is probably a building you've driven past hundreds, if not thousands of times and never gave it a second look. It's in an area zoned commercial/mixed use. It would seem to open up many possibilities. Now it's your turn, once again, to play developer and planner. What should go there that would be a strong addition to the Main Street landscape?
Welcome to Visions for Vacancies, a new feature on Tewksbury Patch. Each week we will give you, our readers the chance to have your say as to what type of business you this would be appropriate and beneficial for the town in a particular lot or vacant storefront. This lot, at 2163 Main St., is located across the street from Jim Boudreau's Auto Repair in South Tewksbury, and has been eyesore for longer than anyone would care to talk about. At one time it was the home to Direct Auto Parts. It had been going to be a Subway sandwich shop. But then there were major problems with the work being …