Readers, Tell Us What Should Go Here: QFC Grocery Store On Bridgeport Way

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 Gottschalks Department Store, Lakewood Patch is 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 QFC.

The grocery store on Bridgeport Way Southwest closed on April 24, 2010, in the wake of financial struggles and competition from nearby Safeway and Saar's MarketPlace. The 25,500-square-foot building is an anchor space in the Lakewood Colonial Center. It featured a coffee stand, full-service deli, floral department and has a large outdoor space that served as a lumber yard under a previous tenant.

The Lakewood QFC was built as a Lucky supermarket and PayLess drug store in 1978. After Lucky left the Seattle area in 1985, both spaces were converted to a Pay 'n Pak home center. In 1992, the chain folded, and Uddenberg's Stock Market took over the space.

QFC, part of the Cincinnati-based Kroger Co., acquired the Lakewood store in 1997 when it bought the Stock Market grocery chain. Three QFC stores remain in Pierce County: Tacoma, Gig Harbor and Parkland. 

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