Would love to see Rox expand into this space to have more seating and a better waiting area!

I'd like to ask what the point really is. Do you really think the eventual uses of a single one of these commercial properties will ever be in the least bit swayed by idle comments left on these Visions fo Vacancies articles? What these spaces are used for will be determined by who actually buys or leases them. That's all.
Chatting about what we think should go in these spaces is nothing more than idle gossip. If there were an actual point to applying our imagination to these questions then I would be in favor of it, but frankly isn't this just a futile idle exercise?
Oh well, I guess you have to fill the TAB and the Patch with this kind of meaningless exercise, because otherwise you'd actually have to write about significant and relevent things that are actually going on in Newton. And you wouldn't want to have to do that. I mean, gosh, if you did, you might actually have to write something critical about the way the city is being completely mismanaged by a bunch of swindlers calling themselves politicians, and that just wouldn't do at all, would it.

Adam, the type of writing you suggest is called an "editorial," and while that is not part of Patch's mission nor framework, there are many of those (both written by the editor(s) and in blog form) at the TAB.
Given Patch's commitment to and mission of providing hyperlocal news and information, discussions about what community members would like to see go into vacant spaces fits in well. While you are, sadly, probably quite correct that it doesn't actually sway the decision of anyone who might purchase an empty storefront, it does provide a forum for discussion and an opportunity to share ideas amongst members of our community who might not otherwise have the chance to talk about it. The wonders of cyberspace!
I'm just a freelancer here at Patch (and my column is just about local food-related stories), so I don't really have the expertise to speak professionally about coverage of news events, etc. But I will say that I think our editor does a fantastic job of disseminating information about local politics, school committee meetings, events, etc. - and I am pretty sure the folks over at the TAB do the same.

First of all, I personally would like to see a KITCHEN GADGET, HOUSEWARES store in that location. I. of course would be the logical choice to run it, having many years of management and buying experience in the field. On the other hand, I am in no position to open the store financially. So, if anyone would like to front the funds......
As an aside to Adam, do you like anything or trust anyone? This series of stories is simply a vehicle for people to speak up without leaving home. Maybe if there are enough people who want a certain store, someone who can open that type might see the story and say: Hey, I'll open a Kitchen Store (hint, hint).

PLEASE. NO MORE BANKS.