Visions for Vacancies in Barnstable: 659 Main Street, Hyannis

Our new Visions for Vacancies feature is where we find a place where you can weigh in with your ideas about what kind of businesses you’d like to see occupying empty storefronts around town.

Each week, we’ll highlight a vacant building, storefront or structure around town. And we’ll leave it you, the Barnstable community, to sound off on what you’d like to see there before any plans go before town boards.

This week we’re taking a look at the 659 Main Street in Hyannis, which used to house Stone's Antiques. The property has been owned by the Stone family since 1924, but it has been closed for years, is in major disrepair, and an eyesore on the West End of Main Street. Should the building be knocked down? Should the property be turned into a parking lot? Or should they try to preserve this historic structure?

So, if you had your way—and, for the purpose of this discussion, let’s try not to focus too much on zoning restrictions—what would be your vision for this vacancy? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.