Can we townspeople clamor for what WE want and will support instead of letting the landlord throw the property to any highest bidder who happens to show up???
He has filled us with too many banks which are dead-space in the evening.
WE need to open our mouths now and maybe all actively recruit interesting up-and-coming businesses who may not be aware this prime space is opening up!!!
I heard once that the Belmont Filenes was doing seriously more $ business per square foot than any of the other Filenes stores. And their merchandise was good quality and affordable. Macy's!!?? I was seriously not impressed and heartily wish they had not brought their flimsy poorly made 'fashion' here. And forced the lovely good-hearted sales people who stayed on to wear the dowdy 'all black' uniformity of Macy's so-called 'Look'
Plus...There has always been a department store or two in Belmont (who else remembers Chandler's that was in the Cushing Sq. Masonic Bldg. --that long brick building where Spirited Gourmet and Fred Astaire Dance studio are now?) For all my nearly 60 years it has been a pleasure not to have to go 'In Town' (Boston) or out to the Mall (Burlington), and most of my family's clothes came from Filenes (on sale-- of course, I am a New Englander!) Why not keep a proven 'anchor store' here, which brings business into our good town!!!???

The last thing that we need is another bank. A large book store would be very very nice. Even better is a used book store like the Strand in NYC. Or a store like William Sonoma, Crate and Barrel, etc.

A good grocery store, kind of like the old Bildner's, would be a great addition to Belmont Center. I wouldn't call Trader Joe's an "upscale" grocery store. I would love to see a place that had great produce, great seafood, and maybe a butcher. A restaurant or pub could be part of the mix.

A collection of retail stores like Thorne's marketplace in Northampton with small clothing, shoe and art boutiques, cafe's, eateries etc would be great!

A lovely indoor mall would be terrific, especially on cold, rainy days! One possibly consisting of a various welcoming mix of shops and stores, butcher/seafood, possibly a small gym, arcade, and lounge area.

I love the idea of a mixed use retail space like Thorne's marketplace in Northampton as well. It would be great to see some creativity and imagination put to use in terms of attracting retailers to the Macy's space. I know many residents who would also be pleased if there was a bookshop included in the plans as well.

How about a good fitness center? There's so much yoga and pilates in Belmont, but we could use a real gym.

Being a Macy's employee currently I would love to see it broken into retail space (possibily job opportunities would occur for us!) It would also keep the downtown alive at night. I just hope that the landlord does not keep the space a big vacant space!

The building needs serious repairs. It isn't in compliance with Handicap codes, it smells on the lower level near the toilets, you can smell garlic from the restaurant next store when you're in the boys department ( which makes me believe a fire could pass thru the ducts but what do i know) and there's more. The landlord needs to gut the interior before anyone signs a new lease. With an active tenant for so long they probably haven't been able to do any overhauls. PLEASE do not add another Pizza restaurant to the Center. And the concept of upgrading the Center by making it more pedestrian friendly is going to make traffic worse around the edges. The shop lifting that goes on in the juniors dept at that store is ridiculous. So no, H&M would be a nightmare.

I am the proud co-owner, property management and leasing agent for Thornes Marketplace in Northampton. While the income demographics for the Belmont site is exceptionally strong, I must warn you that setting up a Thornes Marketplace clone is an incredibly complicated, time consuming and capital intensive task. Finding 30 independent retailers and restauranteurs will require a huge leasing effort as well establishing a market/advertising plan to support the community. Best of Luck!!!

Some TEEN retail stores. There isn't a single one in Belmont and yet a couple adult clothing stores. I know that right after school sometimes, me and some friends walk to Belmont center for Starbucks, the library, and Macy's. Alot of teens go to Belmont center all the time. So a teen clothing store would be GREAT. Examples: Delia*s, Aeropotale, American Eagle, hollister, pink, etc

i heard there are already at least 7 bids to lease the space don't know what but who owns it?

Belmont's first pub or a fun hang out for the community. A restaurant that will open its windows and door a music will welcome you inside. A restaurant that has creative, healthy and innovative cuisine for the entire family. We need, big windows and a bright place!! Belmont needs a little fun its life! Please, please no Marshalls, Nordstrom rack etc...We need a reason to spend a little time in the center. Grab a nice tea, coffee, soda glass of wine and make it an event for the family.. then maybe go grab a toy for the kids at the toy store..oh yeah, I need milk etc.
A bookstore with a coffee section and kids section would be fun
Inside farmers market where you could buy FRESH cheese, bread, flowers, prepared delights like chicken salad, muffins scones etc a sit down section of the farmers market to meet up with friends to grab snack