Uncertainty Looms Over Local Businesses as Development Rumors Swirl Around Foxfield Plaza

What is going on with the Foxfield Plaza?

Rumors have begun swirling around town of a new grocery store moving into the plaza near the Mansfield town line - the same location where Big Y was supposed to be developed before plans fell through - but nothing has been confirmed by town officials or the property's landlord, Harvey Smith.

Foxborough Town Manager Kevin Paicos confirmed to Foxborough Patch last week there is a developer interested in buying the Foxfield Plaza but wouldn't say, per an agreement with the potential buyer, who the developers are or what the development will be.

"The developer wishes to remain anonymous as well as his plans," Paicos said in an e-mail last week.

Smith, who also owns Foxborough Furniture, said even though he's selling the place, Paicos is the man who knows exactly what’s going on.

“Apparently he knows what we don’t know,” Smith said. “I called him asking him what he knew and he couldn’t tell me. He’s the guy you got to talk to.”

Ken Gibbons, of Integrated Security, said it’s a wide open space as to what could happen.

“I don’t know what he wants to do,” he said. “I don’t know if he wants to sell it and tear it down, I mean they could build anything here.”

Said Phil McGrath of Integrated Security: “I don’t get the draw, with the economy. ... The economy’s slightly better, but half of Forbes Boulevard is open for office space. Unless you know someone made a deal that someone’s buying it at a good price to hold it and develop later. I mean we’d love to read about it if you find anything out.”

Kristen Braga, owner of the Reserve Bin Wine Shop, said they’ve all seen this before and they’ll just have to take it as it comes.

“Unfortunately, we’ve been going back and forth on this for some years now,” she said. “We’ve always had stake in this place for a very long time and it always feels like juggling.”

John Barry, of Edible Arrangements, said he also will take it as it comes, but he doesn’t want to leave his employees in the cold.

“I know there is a developer coming in and I know that there are things like that happening but we’re not being told officially,” he said. “The town will not tell us anything, our landlord won’t either. I think it’s actually kind of insulting. I wouldn’t do that to my customers. If a development comes in here and I have to move my business, it’s not a matter of packing up and moving. I have a full kitchen back there. If there’s a chance that I have to move, I think the proper thing to do would be to let us know there is a chance there may not be room for you in this development so I’m not telling seven people you don’t have a job anymore.”

RC Hobby owner Jeremy Waltzer said he finds the rumors unnerving.

“It’s better to know than not know,” he said. “I like it here, I’d like to stay here. The uncertainty worries me, that would probably bother anybody right?”

Town Planner Sharon Wason said she has no information on what could be happening with the Foxfield Plaza property and no applications for any development have been filed with the town ... yet.

So for now, the mystery continues.

TELL US: Understanding that a developer is likely to buy the Foxfield Plaza, what would you like to see developed there? Let us know in the comments section below!

NOTE: Local Editor Jeremie Smith contributed to this report.