Visions For Vacancies: Former Friendly's Site

It's a natural process: Businesses move in, businesses move out. Although town officials and residents typically prefer to see the former happening, vacant storefronts and empty lots are a part of life in a suburban town—start-ups shut down, national chains cut back and falling profits sometimes force a mom-and-pop business to shutter.

With Visions For Vacancies, Needham Patch asks readers what you would like to see move in to various vacant spots around town. 

This week, we turn to the former Friendly's Restaurant building at 173 Chestnut St. The longstanding ice cream shop and family restaurant in October 2011 and has since remained empty. Though there have been rumors around town of various businesses eying this prime location—which is across the street from — no permits or plans have been filed.

So what would you like to see move in here? Another ice cream shop? A different type of restaurant? A drugstore, specialty shop or other business? Share your visions for this now vacant spot in the comments below.

Have a vacancy suggestion? E-mail becca.manning@patch.com. Out and about and see a spot we should feature? Snap a photo with your phone and text the image, with address or general location, to 781-217-4233.