Visions for Vacancies

The Town and Country Store is Gone. Can Anything Take Its Place?

The closure of this Chelmsford landmark occurred on March 1. Could any other business take its place?

  A long time West Chelmsford landmark, the Town and Country Store on Old Westford Road closed its doors last Friday after 33 years (see pictures). We'll keep our ears to the ground on more information on the store and any potential changes to the property, but today we ask you for your memories of the store, as well as your thoughts on what could go its place, if anything. Share your thoughts in the comments.

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Novaya Purchases Executive Drive Properties

The Boston real estate firm purchased the Chelmsford property for $23.45 million.

The Co-Star Group is reporting that the Boston-based Novaya Real Estate Ventures has purchased 1 and 2 Executive Drive in Chelmsford for a combined $23.45 million. The campus was built in the 1980s and contains over 220,000 square feet of office space. Current tenants include Arcadis Us Inc., Harbor Communications, Techskills LLC, Captivate Network, Rockwell AUtomation and Tribrdige Inc.

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What Chelmsford Business Were You Sad to See Close in 2012?

During these economic times, businesses come and go all the time. Tell us which ones you were sad to see go in the comments section below.

  Businesses come and businesses go, and 2012 was no different here in Chelmsford. From stores that closed like the Tango Grill and Aubuchon to ones that moved like CVS and Stop and Shop, this year saw much change on the landscape of the Chelmsford business landscape. But, as the year comes to a close, we want to ask you which store you will miss the most from 2012's closings, and which store would you miss the most if it were to close in 2013? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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Chelmsford's Brooks Automation Expects to Cut 100 Jobs

The Elizabeth Drive-based company has shrunk its workforce by approximately six percent.

  On the heels of poor third quarter revenue earnings, the Boston Herald reports that Chelmsford's Brooks Automation will lay off about 100 employees according to a recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The final layoffs were lower than the possible 150 jobs planned to be eliminated after the inital revenue announcement in September. Of the 100 total job cuts, the Boston Globe is reporting that 29 of them will be in Massachusetts

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Readers' Choice: Nominate Your Favorite Grocery Store

Nominate your go-to place in the comments; they may be voted a Readers' Choice later this summer.

If it's near and dear to your heart, Patch wants to know—tell us about the town's best grocery store. Nominate your favorite place in the comments below. Once you do, Patch will officially add them to the running for best of the best—and later this summer, they may beat out the competition to become the number one Readers' Choice. We will take nominations through July 9; voting begins July 23. Nominations have closed.

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QUESTION: What Would You Like to See in the Old Zoots Location?

The building has been painted, but a new business has not moved in yet.

Welcome to Question of the Week, a column where we ask you a local question about anything at all. Question: The old Zoots building has been repainted, but no building permits have been pulled for a new business to move in yet. What would you most like to see at this vacant store?

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Jack Alexander

3:37 pm on Tuesday, February 14, 2012

That would be a great idea. Chelmsford really needs a good bakery.   more ›

Holiday Hours at Chelmsford Restaurants

Several Chelsmford restaurants will offer different hours on New Year's Eve.

New Year's Eve is a big night for dining out every year and local restaurants are looking forward to making your celebration special. While most Chelmsford restaurants have regular hours for the holiday, some will be open for a different schedule or will host special events. Please call ahead because the night will be very busy for most businesses and hours may be subject to change. Moe's Southwest Grill will close at 4 p.m. Zesty's Pizza will close at 6 p.m. Princeton Station will be open for their regular hours and is hosting a party. For more information, contact the restaurant. Brickhouse Center Sports Grill will be hosting a party during their regular hours. For more information, contact the restaurant. Evzon Greek American …

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Holiday Tradition Returns to Local Business

Harrington Wine & Liquors celebrates the holiday season by displaying its iconic Chelmsford train set.

A Chelmsford institution is up and running for the holiday season. The well-known model LGB train set at Harrington Wine & Liquors has grown over the years, and so has its fan base. "It's nice to see parents come by with kids," said store owner John Harrington, "and say they came here as children to see the train." Harrington began the tradition in 1985 by displaying a small train set from a vendor for the holidays. He simply set up a card table out of the way, plugged in the train, and thought it would be a nice decoration. "People gravitated to it," Harrington said, "and I realized that for some reason everybody loves trains and reminiscing about their childhood." Now, the 53-by-6 foot train set landscape spans the length of the store …

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Maine Trains Owner Shares his Love for Locomotives

Gerry Rooks, owner of Maine Trains, shares how his passion became his business.

"Welcome to the world of trains." That's how Gerry Rooks welcomes people into his store, Maine Trains.  And with walls covered in miniature tracks, tiny engineers, and cases full of cars- it really is a different world. Rooks is more than happy to guide people into the detailed world of model train sets and the larger-scale machines which inspired them. "I've loved trains since I was a kid," Rooks said. "When I was eight or so I got the typical toy set and it's been going from there." Rooks kept up his interest in trains into adulthood, photographing railroads and building sets throughout his time in the high tech sector in Massachusetts. His family members have picked up the bug as well and two of his three sons work in the rail industry…

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