This Is Framingham

A few days ago I was going by the old Lloyd’s diner that had been taken over and oddly named “Tropical Cafe”.  I saw that it has been in fact changed back to -and what I feel like it should be - a diner!  I’m sure a lot of people will be happy to see that it’s even under old management too.  I always felt like the whole Tropical Cafe theme just didn’t fit the diner well.

Yesterday we had to drive down Rt 9, which I always can’t stand but that’s where DCU is and we were being productive getting errands done.  Anyway, as we drove by the former site of Brozetti’s I noticed there was a new sign up:


Something called Top Shelf that will be moving in.  They have the beginnings of a website with some information here: http://www.topshelfdining.com/

Then we passed the old Pacific Buffet:

and saw this:

Far East Buffet, not much to say about that, I think we can all envision what this will be like but I’ll still probably check it out to see if there are any pleasant surprises.  I’m glad to see at least something is opening up in this location since it’s been vacant for so long.  It’s always interesting when something goes out of business and something similar moves in.  Like how Sewfisticated Fabrics moved into the old Fabric Place, Zaftig’s replaced Joan and Ed’s and Summit Ski Snowboard moved into the old Ski Market space but I guess some places are meant to serve a certain purpose.  It’s also nice to see business investing in a Framingham location so I wish everyone luck!

According to the realtor for this property, she has stated:” The FABRIC PLACE site will be reopened by the end of October. The name will be “Sewfisticated Discount Designer Fabrics”. The Framingham store will be the third location of a family operated business. The new website www.framinghamfabric.com  will be online by Monday. (although it’s not as of today)
They will carry a complete selection of fabrics at deeply discounted prices including all types of apparel fabric, brand-name quilting cottons, high-end home decorating fabrics, and tons of trims, notions, ribbons, and crafts.”

I’m actually glad to see another fabric place move in because I stopped quilting when they left and hope to get inspired by a new place I can easily get to and hopefully it will be worth other sewers to travel out to it like they did with the old store.
Joanne’s is okay for the usual fabric needs but sometimes schlep to get to down rt.9. in Natick.  Between this, the new appliance/furniture store, Limey’s and the soon-to-be-opened balloon design shop, it seems like downtown is picking up a little steam.  It’s nice to be able to say that because yesterday I almost wrote a full rant about how much I hate downtownbut I’ll save that for another post when I have a day like I did yesterday.
Anyway, looks like things are picking up so I hope it continues to fill vacant stores with tax-paying businesses.

Wow, I guess it’s been a while since I’ve posted, I was on vacation and then easing back into work and I just haven’t felt like sitting at a computer any longer than I have to but I’ll hop back on the blogging train and start posting regularly again.
So there’s not too much going on but I did notice at 330 Concord St. there is a new Indian grocery store opening up. 
In a semi-related story I was told there is going ot be a Chinese-Indian restaurant opening up near  or on Rt. 9, I haven’t got the details but I’ll post more on that once I investigate. 
So if you like Indian food, there’s a couple of things for you to look forward to!

I was walking by the old Fabric Place’s auxilary space on Concord St. and noticed a permit in the window and that the inside was cleaned out and getting worked on.  There was also a layout plan of the floor space and it seems like it’s going to be some kind of electronic store.

I went home and looked up the permit number to find out more details but it didn’t show up on the town’s permit search. So I did a search for all recent permits on Concord St. and Still nothing came up for this location but I did notice a bunch of permits for 101 Concord St. (Sampan’s current location) for serving alcohol, pool tables, live entertainment, coin-operated devices and amusement/show/exhibit under the name “Limey’s Pub”. 
 
It’s a little weird that it’ll be gone just because it’s been there for so many years but I think Limey’s Pub could be interesting and I’m looking forward to check it out when it opens.

I was reading an article in the MWDN about a proposed classy strip joint at the former Tin Alley Grill location.
I’m usually all for small business and it would be great to not have that building vacant but I feel like this isn’t going to do Framingham any favors since we have a little bit of a PR problem as it is.   But who knows, maybe it would be the most rootinist, tootinist strip club around! I feel  like it won’t get approved though and that would be fine with me.

For more information you can read the MWDN article here.

I have heard from a couple of sources now that the site of (the dearly missed) Green Tea II is looking to become a sports bar kind of place.  The proposed name is “Angry Ham’s Garage”.  I’m not sure if “Ham” is meant as the loving nickname for our fair town or not but I just thought it was so funny.  From what I was told, the proposing owner is local, not part of a chain of any sort.  I’ll be interested to see how Angry Ham’s Garage progresses!

The downstairs space at 945 Worcester Rd. has something going on in it.  There aren’t any permits online but the guy at the liquor store next door said it’s going to be a tattoo parlor.  I’m not sure how he found out, but I’m guessing since he’s next door he knows more than I do.  I’m not into tattoos so I’m not that excited, but I’m sure the college kids across the street will be and I’m glad that the space will be occupied with a tax-paying business.