Visions For Vacancies: What Should Move To 720 Bloomfield Ave.?

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 several weeks 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 720 Bloomfield Ave., where Lalezar, the Turkish and Mediterranean eatery, once stood just a few doors down from and across the street from the

Earlier this year, Montclair Patch  reported that Lalezar had gone out of business. The space had been quickly cleared out and now a sign in the window reveals that the space is for rent.

The circumstances surrounding the closing have been unclear.

But only last November Montclair Patch had published , when our own Melody Kettle enjoyed a meal of Lahana Sarma—cabbage leaves stuffed with ground meat, rice, peppers, onions, and dill, and served with homemade tomato sauce and garlic yogurt sauce.

So what should go into the former Lalezar space? Another restaurant? A retail store? Certainly not another yogurt shop! The good news is that the space enjoys high visibility being right by the Montclair Art Museum and across Bloomfield Ave. from

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