Replacing the Tastes at the Former Beijing Restaurant

Let's call this a modern spin on community planning - Patch's version of a charette, a digital drawing board where all ideas are on the table.

Each week we'll present a new vacant building and ask you to tell us what you think would be the best use. Forget what zone it's in, ignore setback regulations, dump lot coverage rules and all the other zoning jargon that puts people most to sleep. If you had your way, what would you like to see there? What would be the best use for the community?

The blue and white building that once housed a popular take-out Chinese food option along Queen Street is no more.

Closing its doors late last year, the building at the site of the once well-ranked now remains vacant and without any signs of life. The restaurant was popular to those who frequented it, earning five stars in two reviews on Southington Patch and four stars on several other online sites, but that wasn't enough to save it.

The location has served as a restaurant for more than two decades, but traffic was a concern and many people avoided Queen Street for their take-out needs, instead turning to nearly a half dozen other Chinese options in town.

Did traffic keep you away from the restaurant? Was it something else?

Today we want to know the best way to make that business thrive again. How would you propose to fill the vacant lot? Your thoughts could make a difference, so share your input now!