It's been a while since we had an installment of "Visions for Vacancies"—the Patch column that lets you daydream about businesses you would like to see move into the Caldwells. A longtime commercial vacancy in the Essex Mall on Bloomfield Avenue in West Caldwell is the former site of a KB Toy Works store, as evidenced by the sign that's still up. Over the last couple of falls, a Halloween costume and decoration shop has popped in and out for the season. But most of the year the large retail space between Sears Appliance and Hardware and the New York Sports Club sits empty.  And the sign, well…

Visions for Vacancies generally focuses on empty buildings and storefronts and lets you, the reader, share your ideas for a buyer/tenant for the empty space.  This time, we turn our attention to two tiny kitchens in West Caldwell that need a vendor from Memorial through Labor Day weekends—the Westville and Cedar Street pool concession stands.  Unhappy with the results of the initial round of bidding, the township council recently decided to go out for a second round of bids. The goal is to seek an alternative to Bagelwich Bagels & Deli—one of two bidders and the only bidder to satisfy the bid…

It's been four years since Valley National Bank in Caldwell relocated from a big old building at 307 Bloomfield Avenue to a new contemporary one just around the corner. A sign on the front door reads, "Attention Customers: As of April 1, 2008, this office will close permanently. Please visit our office across the street at 15 Roseland Ave." Peeling paint on the bright green building was recently retouched and an electrical fire broke out here last May. If you could have your way, what would you like to see happen in this space on the corner of Personette Street? 

Blockbuster's long goodbye to the Caldwells is finally over. The video retailer confirmed it would shutter the West Caldwell location back in December, and for two months discounted its inventory of movies and video games.  Now the blue and yellow sign is down and contractors were seen sprucing up the place this week. The retail space, located in Broadway Plaza at the intersection of Bloomfield and Passaic Avenues, is neighbors with SkyClub Fitness, as well as Manhattan Bagel, Radio Shack and Flair. What kind of business do you think would make a welcome addition to the neighborhood?

Friendly's in West Caldwell served its final meal in October. For more than four months, the former restaurant has stood vacant, leaving locals with nothing but memories and cravings for those famous Reese's Pieces sundaes. But 632 Bloomfield Ave. is known for more than the family-favorite restaurant that occupied the brick building for more than 40 years. This is also the location of the township of West Caldwell's iconic Cucumber Magnolia tree, which officials have promised will be protected by whoever moves in next. Speaking of moving in, it's time to start day-dreaming... What is your …

Previously in Visions for Vacancies, we highlighted the empty 17,000-square-foot former home of ACE Hardware in Caldwell and a considerably smaller 800-square-foot storefront in West Caldwell. This time, we are taking a look further east to 11 Bloomfield Ave., in North Caldwell, where 3,600-square-feet of retail space has been vacant for some time now. Located within a small strip mall with Salon Mosaic and a dry cleaner, the location has a considerable amount of parking and access from both Bloomfield Avenue and Elm Road. The former longtime home of Forum, a men's clothing retailer, is for …

Perhaps this has happened to you. You’re sitting at the red light on Bloomfield and Fairfield avenues in West Caldwell. You look over at the vacant shop with a cute black awning and think to yourself, I wonder what kind of business would work there? The empty storefront at 693 Bloomfield Ave. offers a prospective business 800-square-feet—a fraction of the nearly 17,000-square-foot vacancy up the road in Caldwell that drew 40 comments from readers last week when “Visions for Vacancies” launched. Here’s a little more detail to help while you brainstorm an ideal business to move in next to Sushi…

This week, Caldwells Patch introduces a new regular feature we're calling "Visions for Vacancies." Each week, Patch will pick a vacant retail space in the Caldwells and let readers weigh in on what they would like to see fill that spot. Don't worry about zoning or budget restrictions—just dare to dream. Who would be your ideal tenant? What would fill a void in the business district?  Let's kick off with the former location of Ace Hardware, which has stood vacant for five months since the retailer closed shop last August. The 16,900-square-foot space at 684-690 Bloomfield Ave. can be leased …