I would love to see a grocery store in the shopping center, and a gym. Traffic to get to either a grocery store and a gym means the residents in this area have to deal with going through downtown or Rt. 9 traffic.

I would love to see a store like Market Basket.

There needs to be an anchor store that will generate a lot of traffic, so a grocery store is the natural choice. The space isn't big enough to accommodate any other large retailers, so the other occupants could be the usual businesses that live off of grocery store traffic: cleaners, pizza, liquor, pharmacy, small specialty retail.

Marketbasket would be my first choice. As long as it isn't one of the most common chains like Stop and Shop or Shaws. Need something more wallet friendly.

A grocery store, a pharmacy, a hardware store, no need for a pizza place, as pizza is available at the 400 Restaurant/Lounge. Maybe a breakfast/lunch place like a diner.

J.K.Rastani

All good choices. There is something going on where the Whites hardware store use to be anyone know what it is?
Jim@ccfiile.com

Definitely a grocery store would be a good idea. Maybe a hair/nail salon or barbershop. A gym would be a good idea too. I like the idea of a diner as well. Anything that would liven up the shopping center.

On our Framingham Patch facebook page one reader suggested a place for family Sunday brunch ...
which lead into a discussion that there are a lot of families in the general vicinity -- warren/oaks, Maple/state, franklin, winter -- what businesses would parents like to see there?
What stores would families like in their neighborhood so not to travel onto Route 9?

I like the idea of a grocery store in that location, but why didn't they (Big "D" & Price Chooper) survive there in the first place? A diner or a "real" bakery would be nice too and maybe a Planet Fitness.Something that will draw the college students , hospital staff and surrounding neighborhoods to the plaza.

I agree businesses that would attract the medical community and the college students would be as much of a plus as family-oriented businesses.

Yes, a bakery would be nice, but please not a Brazilian one....
Nice Italian one...
Jim@ccfiile.com

Jim: Like the old Stefanini bakery?

What a surprise....Jim Rizoli doesn't want a Brazillian bakery.....what a cartoon character of himself he's become......(it has gotten old, Jim).

Dan...with no last name.....Lets be nice...Personal attacks aren't welcomed here. You really think we need another Brazilian bakery?
It's only fair that we give another ethnic group a chance, right?
Sue, that would be nice. There is nothing better than a good Italian bakery.
Jim@ccfiile.com

I love all kinds of bakeries. I do agree with Jim there are already a couple of Brazilian bakeries in town. The Brazilian bakery near the eye car center across from Town Hall is very good as is the one in the former Stefanini location.
I love Framingham Bakery ... but it would be great to have a bakery on the south side that could do birthday and special occasion cakes. Perhaps a nut-free bakery? or a cupcake shop? ... I need to stop as I'm getting hungry!

I have no issues even with the Brazilian bakeries I'm sure they are good,we just have enough of them. Time to "diversify" our bakeries.
I don't care what anyone says....... you can't beat a good Italian bakery.
I like Framingham bakery too, it's just a haul from where I live.
Try getting there at peak traffic times, crossing the tracks is a real pain.
Jim@ccfiile.com

My "real" bakery comment was in regards to the Dunkin Donuts in that plaza.
Susan, know anyone that wants to go into the cake/cupcake business? I know a few decorators ;)

Panera Bread

Panera would be a great addition to that plaza... the one near Target is always crowded.

Panera Bread would be a fabulous addition. I love their breakfasts and sandwiches, but I never go to the one near Target because of the crazy traffic.

Panera bread is a great idea but I would like those who work there to come under E-Verify.

http://www.numbersusa.com/content/enforcement/workplace-verification-e-verify.html

The Paneras are ripe with ILLEGAL hiring. Lately the one near target seems to have done something. But NEW establishments should be doing e-verify and hiring LEGAL Citizens. Lots of high school kids could be working there as ANY business that opens in that plaza. IF and I say IF a business like Panera opens in the Plaza It would be great that the Selectmen ASK specifically if the businesses comply with all Federal and State hiring laws and practices. I won't hold my breath because they haven't done it yet, just look at the Prindeville block downtown. God knows WHO are running these businesses because the Selectmen don't ask the right questions or they don't care.

Joe Rizoli

M-A-R-K-E-T B-A-S-K-E-T for sure! We need a grocery store with good prices around here. I currently drive 20 minutes across town and into Ashland to shop at Market Basket. And yes, the savings more than outweighs the extra gas costs. To top it all off, the customer service at Market Basket is amazing. There is no pointing to where something is - they actually walk with you to the aisle and show you. And, a few Thanksgivings back, it was raining the day before (busy grocery day). The manager stood outside and gave you a number and waited with your cart in front of the store until you drove up and then he loaded the bags into your car!

I would also love to see a gym with really good classes, like TenXClub.

Businesses go where they can make money. Retail locations become empty where businesses can't make money. So it doesn't matter what we think would be nice to have in Mt Wayte plaza. It's just not a good location for any of these businesses. It's too close to Route 9 and downtown. We should rezone it for other uses.

Actually apts for the elderly would be nice with some stores under it.
Even some nice affordable condo's for poor professional people would be nice.
Lots of things could happened there if they put their minds to it.
Lets not forget.... a good ICE office would be nice.
Jim@ccfiile.com

@Fran - but the demographics in that area have changed. There are a lot of families in Warren/Oakes area - lots of families off Maple/State - there are even more in the Barbieri/Winter neighborhood -- that's why the schools are seeing an explosion in the younger grades ... plus there is a vibrant medical and university population all on this side whom I'm sure would love to avoid Route 9, if they could.

I think we need to think as neighborhoods -- if it is good they will travel. La Cantina offers a great lunch buffet and many times a good majority of those in attendance are from the MWMC & other medical offices - much easier to eat and shop locally than to deal with the traffic on Route 9.

Another example, the Walgreen at Prospect and Route 9 does brisk business yet a second one was opened on Route 135 near Waverley Market. I know dozens of families who now travel to the local Walgreens to avoid dealing with Route 9. The only difference between the 2 is the Route 9 one is open 24 hours a day

A CREATIVE design solution is needed to maximize the success, attractiveness and benefits for the Mt. Wayte property. Typical strip malls ignore their surroundings. Good design affects people's behavior. Developing a commercial property must include designs that enhance and become an integral part of the neighborhood. This property should be vital at all times of the day and year. Examine the neighborhood and adjacent natural resources as Farm Pond. Include a mixed use of retail stores, services, offices, small theater, apartments that are enhanced with wonderful landscaping and inviting open spaces. The above suggestions should be an essential part of the design process. The design of this property should not block any future opportunity that may prevent a plaza connection to Farm Pond. Imagine families able to walk through the center to Farm Pond to jog or walk along the water. Imagine a future of small ferries on Farm Pond to take people and tourists to downtown and back.
Let’s think “out-of-the-box.” Thoughtful design will enhance the Mt. Wayte neighborhood. Thoughtful design will encourage more people to come to shop.
I suggest changing the name to “Mt. Wayte Village Center.”

Love the idea of using Farm Pond as a resource rather than an obstacle. Easy to imagine walkways around the pond connecting to Cusing Park and Downtown. But ferries? tourists? You're not just outside the box, your're outside the room!

Well folks if you're going to use Farm Pond as a destination/walkabout etc... you better do something about the guys who have made the woods a destination to have sex!
Yes folks, that's what's it's become right across the street from Cushing near the pump house.
If you don't believe me check with the police they will tell ya. Been that way for years.
A friend of mine was walking his kid over there a few weeks ago and he had to turn the kids head away to block the visual.
jim@ccfiile.com

MANY MANY years ago I was fishing behind the dump and I was approached by this guy that wasn't interested in fishing it seems. Just appalled that this is going on there. The police reports would sure back up what we say. Something should be done about it.

Joe Rizoli

I guess the police aren't too concerned..... it's still going on.
Sorry for advertising it any more...there will probably be a lot of guys that will go there who first heard about it here...LOL
Jim@ccfiile.com

George: Great ideas!

Love the idea of using Farm Pond as a resource - my daughter and I fish over there quite a bit. The pond is full of some really good-sized largemouth bass and pickerel. Just needs a little bit of cleanup, as folks tend to leave some trash behind. I'm concerned, in a selfish way, that more people equals more fishing pressure equals less fish for me LOL.

Kim.....You might think twice about eating anything out of Farm Pond....
Highly contaminated! The remains of the town dump is where the leave and tree dumping is stationed now. I'm surprised the State hasn't targeted it as a mega cleanup. Maybe someone from the State likes to hang out there.....LOL
jim@ccfiile.com

No no - I don't EAT fish! Strictly catch and release, no matter where I fish :)

I agree with the bakery idea--I don't really care what type of ethnic group runs it (as long as it is a small family-owned business). How about a small market like the Produce Market (I love that place!).

How about Eastleigh Farms
Jim@ cfiile.com

I would like a Donalin's Market as the main ancher. No stop and shop or shaw's. A nice Donalin's market or a whole food's market would be great in that place.

For the side tenants, I would like the following: A Pizza parlor/ice cream parlor, a video game store, and even a new restaurant, like an Indian place.

Would like to see an economical supermarket and, perhaps, a fair-priced greeting card/gift shop, so that a person doesn't always have to go to "the Mall", something good for elderly and disabled patrons on the south side! Also, miss the old Friendly's on Union Avenue!