Visions For Vacancies: What Should Move To 197 Bellevue Avenue?

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.

In an occasional column, we'll present a new vacant space 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?

We launched this new occasional feature a few months ago by focusing on the now vacant spot at 622 Valley Road in Upper Montclair, the former home of Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

This week, we're asking what you think should move into the space at 197 Bellevue Avenue in Upper Montclair, where Grid Iron Waffles—a popular hangout for middle school students—once stood just a few doors down from the Bellevue branch of the public library.

In February, that Grid Iron Waffles had gone out of business. The small spot selling Belgian waffles opened in the fall of 2011 in the space formerly occupied by Sticky Buns.

It's never been made clear what happened to Grid Iron Waffles although change is common in Upper Montclair. The space has been cleared out and a large sign in the window reveals that the storefront is indeed available.

Right next door to 197 Bellevue Avenue is another empty space. The shop known as recently moved to 1 Bellevue Plaza.

So what should go into the former Grid Iron space? Another restaurant? A retail store? Certainly it should be somewhere that could be enjoyed by the middle school students that congregate in the area on Fridays after school! The good news is that the space enjoys high visibility and traffic.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below! Know of a vacant space/building we should highlight? Email Shelley@patch.com.