Readers, Tell Us What Should Go Here: Forza Coffee On Edgewater Drive

Do you ever drive past a vacant building and wonder if anything will ever go in there?

You're not alone.

After generating quite a bit of discussion last week about the building that formerly housed Lakewood's QFC grocery store, we at Patch are back this week to discuss another empty spot in town. There's nothing scientific about this, nor do our opinions have any bearing on what will eventually go in these locations. But there's nothing wrong with dreaming.

So let's talk about the building formerly known as Forza Coffee.

The 1,538-square-foot space was the anchor tenant in the complex on Edgewater Drive. It abruptly closed in January 2011 in the wake of a lease dispute between the owner and the landlord. Both sides blamed the other for violating terms of the lease.

When the two sides were unable to come to an agreement, police were called and workers began packing up equipment, even as customers arrived to get a cup of coffee. The store had been open since 2008.

In addition to brewing up drinks both simple ($1.65 for a drip coffee) and extravagant ($6.50 for a Milano Mocha), Forza served desserts including tiramisu and spumoni and had an alluring fireplace perfect for patrons to warm up in front of on chilly mornings.

The space is next door to the Green Coconut Tree restaurant and has a patio and drive-thru. It isn't the easiest to access, but benefits from sitting along Steilacoom Boulevard, which sees upward of 55,000 cars a day.

Forza's remaining , on Lakewood Boulevard, closed earlier this year and into the last month.

So, Lakewood Patch readers, what do you think should go in the former Forza Coffee?