Visions For Vacancies: Friendly's
What would you like to see done with the former Friendly's location in Stoughton at the corner of Washington and Lincoln Streets?
Drive around Stoughton and you'll notice a number of empty storefronts and buildings.
We're continuing a new series titled "Visions for Vacancies." We'll showcase an empty storefront and ask you what should take up the space.
Last week we started things off by asking what you would like to see done with the Stoughton Train Station.
This week, we turn our attention to the former Friendly's location in Stoughton at the corner of Washington and Lincoln Streets, adjacent to Shaw's Plaza.
Even though Friendly's was a popular gathering spot in town for many years, it was one of 63 "underperforming restaurants" closed in October 2011 after the Wilbraham, MA-based Friendly Ice Cream Corporation filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.
What would you like to see take its place? Bring back Friendly's? Open another ice cream parlor or another restaurant, diner or coffee shop? Turn it into retail space instead?
Take our poll and let us know your specific ideas in the comments section.
Jo-ann Barley Overstreet
10:23 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
The very least, they property owners should cut the grass!
Lynn Rawlings
10:30 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Turn it into a nice restaurant.
Longtime Resident
11:11 am on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Is there anything the town can do to get the owner to mow the lawn? Between that property, the old bowling alley and the bank that has been empty for a few years and never does anything to their building the whole area looks derelict and forlorn. If I was looking for a place to rent just the atmosphere would make me think twice.
Snyder's Stoughton
1:35 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
We should make it the national headquarters for Patch. Or, maybe a Mary Lou's coffee place!
Joseph DiCicco
8:30 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Please not Mary Lou's coffee, they are the worst for coffee around...
Pam
1:49 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
Wish Zachary's had decided to move here instead! Any kind of restaurant would be great. Not many good places to eat in this town (except for breakfast-- then there are LOTS of choices!).
Sarah
1:26 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I agree, this would have been a great location for Zachary's! Its got parking and a kitchen already, its closer to downtown, and it seems bigger than their current location.
Fiscal Conservative
3:53 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
How about a Pizza Parlor or a Chinese Restaurant. The town could certainly use one of them.
Joseph DiCicco
8:33 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
How many Pizza Parlors or Chinese Restaurants do we need...how about an Ice Cream Parlor where you make your own at a price where everyone can enjoy...
Joann
8:29 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Bring back Friendly's!!!
Joann
8:30 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Little Cesaers should become a Marylou's!! :)
Les
8:43 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
How about a visitor center.
Jeffrey Pickette
9:22 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
Some suggestions from our Facebook page so far (http://www.facebook.com/StoughtonPatch):
Mary Lou's, Dairy Queen, Boston Market, and a restaurant that offers healthy options and 1/2 sized portions.
Carol
10:34 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
With all the unfair publicity they are getting lately, I would like to see a Chic-fil-A in that spot if Friendly's will definitely not consider bcoming back.
Fiscal Conservative
11:13 am on Friday, July 27, 2012
For those who remember....bring back a recreation of Webster's Ice Cream Parlor, only add an old time Soda Fountain to go with it. Bet, if done right, the place would be a success.
Regina
1:31 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Funny, I just read "October Stories" a memoir of sorts written by a former resident about Stoughton in 1954. Webster's was mentioned and my exact thought was wouldn't someplace like that be fun and a draw? Plus you can PARK at the building. Agreed that if done right it would be a success. Also think Stoughton could use some more places in the vein of La Storia -- non-chain where you can go for a close to home evening out.
Sarah
1:24 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Last thing this town needs is another cheap chain restuarant or fast food place. A quality restaurant, brew pub, or nice retail shop of some sort would be great.
Les
2:30 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
How about keeping up with the times--make it an Internet cafe, or an unemployment office, or lease the space to ACORN. Hey Liz Warren could pitch a tee-pee out front and use it as a campaign headquarters or an Indian museum.
Roseanne
8:34 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
I would love to see Starbucks in that spot. I go to the ones in Canton and Brockton since they closed the Stoughton store, but would rather spend my money here in Stoughton.
SoxFan
12:28 am on Saturday, July 28, 2012
I also would like to have seen Zachary's go in there instead of where they are moving to. I don't think a coffee shop because of the amount of traffic they bring. That's a nasty intersection to have that many people going in and out all around the same time. Maybe a bakery/sandwich shop. And please cut the grass.