This Is Framingham

Today we noticed that Bickford’s finally closed. I was never a fan but I know my Aunt and Uncle were so I’m “sad” for them. I actually thought it was okay when I was a student at FSC just for somewhere to go when it was open 24 hours a day but after it changed to Bickford’s Grille with limited hours it became useless as a culinary destination.
Of course I’m also sad for Framingham we’ve lost yet another business but hopefully something tasty will take over or at the very least won’t become another tax exempt operation.

I was walking by the Franklin St. Plaza, which I call “Sad Plaza” because of it’s occupied to vacant store fronts (not to mention lack of building maintenance in general) , and saw that O’Brien’s package store was closed and had a sign saying it was moving next door to where “Giant Gifts” used to be.  So it’s not so bad for people who like having a package store in the area since it’s just the next building over, but it does add yet another vacancy in this particular plaza.  As of now, there is just the Dunkin Donuts, St. Paul de Vincent thrift store, Maenzo’s Barber shop, and the time-warp laundromat that people say the machines eat up their coins.
I REALLY wish this plaza would liven up but even when the economy was good, I have heard the landlord of the plaza is rather difficult to deal with and likes having a “losing” property.

I have to say I am pretty sick of things leaving downtown.  It started with Ebenezer’s going out and has been on a downward spiral since then: Daisy’s consignment shop, the one Thai restaurant in town, Friendly’s, the Farmer’s Exchange and of course Fabric Place.  Now the Civic League is going to close at the end of the month.
Believe me, I want to be optimistic about downtown because I own a home here but sometimes it’s hard when the things you lake are dropping like flies.  It was so great to have a place nearby that would have everything from artist lectures to Japanese-Mexican wrestling.
The one good thing is that is will not become the the 30-somethingth church (I’m not joking, look in the yellow pages)  in downtown, but will become part of Mass Bay Community College’s facilities and I think they will do a decent job at up-keeping and usefully occupying the space.
The Civic League will continue to exist as an organization, just not in this space.

Not too interesting but I did notice that Store 24, which had been there for many years, is now Tedeschi Food Shop.  It’s not a big deal since it’s still the same type of store and will get the same type of mentions in the police beat, but just thought I’d point it out that Store 24 is no longer with us.

I don’t know why Green Tea closed, maybe like some recent restaurant closings it was because of the economy.  We always liked the food here and the scallops with coriander was our favorite dish.
In memoriam:

According to a comment on a previous post, Judith says she learned that our shiny star of downtown,  Fabric Place, will close it’s doors for good on December 31st.  I can’t even begin to say how dissapointed/devestated I am by this as a quilter and a resident of downtown.  Just what we don’t need, a great business in a large building closing up shop.  This is a dark day for Framingham. 
 I shall miss ye Fabric Place!

I don’t know what’s going on with Bennigans but I kind of don’t care since I’ve only been here 3 times, the last time was 1996 for a co-worker’s birthday.  I can confidently say life hasn’t missed a beat without Bennigan’s in my life.  I only recently noticed it’s empty parking lot somehow and drove up to see if this establishment finally closed.

On the front door was this note:

Ah, the old “remodeling” note.  A tell tale sign of health code violations.  Now I won’t say I know this for sure and who knows, maybe they are just remodeling the kitchen but they don’t have any recent work permits for remodeling or anything else.
Also, out of curiosity, I called them to see when they might be reopening or anything and I got a recording saying the number has been disconnected and that no further information is available.
I hate to say it but, I hope it really is closed and something else (although it will probably be another chain restaurant) moves in.  Maybe Border’s who didn’t get their lease renewed with Ken’s could move there?  We miss Border’s in the area.

Anyway, good bye (I think)Bennigan’s.