A whole lot of nothin’ going on
June 28th, 2006
The majority of this plaza on Franklin St. is vacant. It’s such a shame because it is yet another area that I can walk to from my house but, there’s not much of a reason to. I would have thought at least a grocery store could stay in business there, but no such luck.
They must be pretty confident nothing will move into the old Big D for a while since the thrift store, that isn’t in the space of the old grocery store, got top billing on the plaza sign. I wonder if this will all just eventually get bulldozed over. I can’t even think of what I’d want to be in there but I guess its ok for now since I like Dunkin Donuts, bought something from the thrift store and once in a while need to get a bottle of wine or something from the liquor store.
Who knows, maybe whatever the 400 Club becomes will attract something else. Maybe someone will even occupy the old fotomat hut!
Also, I’d like to give a shout out to the two businesses in what I call “survivor’s corner“. They must have some loyal patrons because I thought there was nothing still alive in that section. Good for them! If anyone needs a haircut or a laundromat please go there. 
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Drive by twice a day and it’s not a pretty sight. You have the thrift store and the donuts left. Used to be CVS there, which was nice but so glad there’s a nice one across Stop Shop now. There was a pool supply store there whose outside is now kinda falling apart. I don’t know, maybe the thrift store can take over the whole thing, that’s be cool.
Comment by h. capet — September 20, 2006 @ 11:29 pm
Is the liquor store where I used to be able to use my fake Arizona driver’s license to buy booze when I was in college still there?
The whole thing is a depressing sight…
Probably the best use of the site would be a big box store, although I don’t know if enough traffic comes through the area to make it worth it.
Comment by Micah — October 10, 2006 @ 2:00 am
nice web site! i tried but to no avail to locate any old photos from the 80’s of the stores in the natick mall ie: yorks steak house etc… maybe some of us who miss the old stuff in framingham should get together for a beer and talk and laugh about the old spots and stores! just a suggestion! thank you all, and especially for the memories! bobby
Comment by bobby — November 10, 2006 @ 2:04 am
If you haven’t seen my web site, check it out. I try to post a picture at least once a week, sometimes more often, of places we all remember.
Comment by dave — December 2, 2006 @ 4:37 pm
If this plaza were in Natick, they’d be talking about selling to a developer who would build about 200 condos there.
Comment by dave — December 29, 2006 @ 6:18 pm
Sad plaza is the perfect name for this place. I get sad everytime I drive by. I had hoped that a small grocery store or some other store would move in. Sadly, now that St. Vincent’s has carved up much of the space occupied by the grocery store, I don’t see this happening any time soon. I was encouraged to see the dead bird gone, though.
Comment by Karen — February 9, 2007 @ 12:08 am
Hi Michelle,
I had hoped to introduce myself at the last FDR meeting, but you exited early.
I enjoy your comments very much! and your photos!
What kind of camera do you use?
I hope we can get together sometime. Maybe at the Friday night Concerts on the Green. I generally have a table there, raising money for the Friends of Saxonville.
I will be linking to your blog and I hope that you will link to mine - framingham.com.
Regards,
Deb Cleveland
framingham.com
Comment by Debbie Cleveland — May 30, 2007 @ 3:16 am
This is too sad. I grew up about a mile from this place. My family could walk to the grocery and drug stores, laundromat and optician. My ophthalmologist was right across the street. Just about everything was in walking distance–school, church, stores, doctors’ offices.
I lived in Atlanta a few years ago and hated it because it’s not designed for walking. There are few neighborhood businesses, only miles and miles of “residential” streets without sidewalks, leading to enormous shopping malls. It looks like my old hometown is turning into the same thing. I don’t guess I’ll be back.
Comment by Catherine — September 23, 2007 @ 4:10 am