By Max Bowen-max.bowen@northstarreporter.com
A landmark location in North Attleborough will soon take on a new role.
The site of Fran’s Seafood at 326 N. Washington St., is being renovated by Big A Home Improvement. Located in Danvers, the company focuses on single-family housing and has been around for three years.
The new owner of the property is The Hearthstone Corporation, which owns properties in Boston, Fall River, Bedford, and North Attleborough. Most of their properties in North Attleborough are on N. Washington Street, along with sites on Oren Street, Park Street, Dexter Street, and on S. Washington Street.
Steven Chaletzky of The Hearthstone Corporation said that they bought the property from another contractor who didn’t have time to re-develop the site. When arriving in North Attleborough he gets off Route 1 and takes North Washington Street, only to see the former Fran’s.
“You hop off and the first thing you see is an eyesore,” he said.
Chaletzky said the building had some surprises when they began work, including a collapsed sewer line. Many local contractors are being utilized, and the result will be a 1,200-square-foot site with new parking and landscaping. A tenant has not been finalized, which Chaletzky said is an unusual route to take.
“It’s a prime location,” he said.
According to the Building Department, Big A Home Improvement has a permit to rehabilitate the property, but its future use is unknown at this time. Town Planner Gil Hilario said no plans have been filed with the department. Chaletzky said the site would be ideal for a real estate developer or insurance company, but the tenant won’t be one that can compete with their existing commercial tenants.
Fran’s Seafood, known for its clams and fish and chips, has been closed for some time. Over the years there was speculation on social media that it would reopen as a restaurant, though this never occurred.
