Visions For Vacancies: What Should Move To 695 Bloomfield Ave.?

Let's call this a modern spin on community planning—Patch's version of a charette, a digital drawing board where all ideas are on the table.

In an occasional column, we'll present a new vacant space and ask you to tell us what you think would be the best use. Forget what zone it's in, ignore setback regulations, dump lot coverage rules, and all the other zoning jargon that puts people most to sleep. If you had your way, what would you like to see there? What would be the best use for the community?

We launched this new occasional feature a few months ago by focusing on the now vacant spot at 622 Valley Road in Upper Montclair, the former home of Five Guys Burgers and Fries.

This week, we're asking what you think should move into the space at 695 Bloomfield Ave., just next to

The gorgeous building used to house Luna Stage, founded in 1992. For 18 years, the company called Montclair home, first in a small space on Walnut Street and then moving into the larger facility at 695 Bloomfield Ave.

But Luna Stage moved to West Orange in the fall of 2010, and the site has remained vacant since then.

So what should go into the former Luna Stage space? Another restaurant now that Lalezar across the street has closed? A retail store? Certainly it should be somewhere that could be enjoyed by those visiting Whole Foods and the just up the road.

The good news is that the space enjoys high visibility and traffic.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below! Know of a vacant space/building we should highlight? Email Shelley@patch.com.