someone say trader joe's.

Nothing, it's a horrible location with terrible parking - hence the vacancy. I know, an ice cream shop or tattoo parlor! Kent needs more of those!

Trader Joes would be nice somewhere in Kent. How about a Whole Foods? I'm not sure about Dr GreenBees reasoning on their move. We live just beyond Main and won't be able to ride our bikes or walk to the store.

The space is rather small and parking is a nightmare so it'll be hard to find too many places willing to go in there. I for one would love a little movie theater for kids that is geared toward toddlers... where yelling and screaming would be expected and encouraged ;)

Please no Trader Joes or Whole Foods in Kent, the co-op is an awesome spot for healthy grocery options, if they could expand though that would rock! :)

A reader asked me to share their thoughts: "I think that space might be good for a nice little massage/relaxation spa. Kent could use a massage studio that was cost-conscious and had great pricing and unusually good specials...not just the usual $60+/hr type place, but something college people on a budget could afford and would actually frequent...like $35/hr with specials like $250/10 visits...or every 11th visit free....or $20 Tuesdays....something like that...maybe sauna could be offered...or aromatherapy steam rooms with live Eucalyptus branches, etc...maybe tanning could be offered there too....Just a thought!"

I think a little vintage clothing and collectible shop would be great to have downtown. The first one to open in Acorn Alley was overpriced but I think a vintage boutique could really work here and add some diversity to the present clothing store options!

I think its only suitable to be offices. Horrible for retail. I never knew where Greenbee was. Now I know why.

why not a little peanut shop...like mr. peanuts in downtown akron..fresh roasted and all

OK, we all know the obvious choice is a marijuana dispensary. The timing just isn't quite right though. : )

Designate an area for employee parking. Today’s businesses must be readily accessible to customers. Business owners and employees should never park in “prime” parking spots. Bye-the-way, finish that damn parking deck.

Standing Rock Cultural Arts Center could relocate there that way the friends of the Wells Sherman House can have access to most of that corner of Portage and North Water

Please! Somewhere an Indian food place

I like Rebecca Hohenberger's idea for a theater for toddlers where yelling and screaming would be expected and encouraged. Then a couple years later you take them to a regular theater and expect them to be quiet. I think there's a potential Kent State psychology department research project just waiting to happen for this one.

Can't get to many stores because of snow and ice on sidewalks.

Did you know that if you complain about snow and ice on sidewalks the city won't do anything about it? I tried it by complaining about all the walks on both sides of East Main from the Firestone Store to Willow Street, where only the beauty shop and dentist office had theirs cleared. The lady in the city manager's office told me the compliance officer will go out and issue a warning if snow that has been cleared is in the street or blocking sidewalks.

Not clearing your walks seems to be condoned by the city. So much for ordinance 521.15. Happy pedestrianing, folks!

Anyone know what the rent is like for the space?

...Sounds like there are some good ideas being thrown around here and also there are probably quite a few more excellent things churning in the minds of some wonderfully enterprising and inspiring (and inspired) Kent-ites, unfortunately there also seems to be one depressing individual who loves to knock everyones new ideas down as quickly as they can be suggested! What a shame!...I'm sure that same person would have had a field day laughing and belittling the idea of opening a popcorn shop (yes, just popcorn, nothing else)...but low and behold, someone did open a popcorn store! And it's wonderful! And it's well received by the community with what appears to be very nice sales, very friendly and hard working people and with the best darn popcorn I've ever tasted!! Popped is certainly a huge success! So please naysayer, let the people of Kent have a few seconds to suggest some very good ideas with trying to pull the rug out from under them instantly! Let free enterprise and great ideas flow without all this negative energy!