ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — The former Buffalo Wild Wings location on State Road 312, a building that once promised an abundance of flats, drums, and questionable sports commentary, has officially become the biggest empty space in St. Augustine, both physically and emotionally.

What should go in there, you ask? Well, if you’re asking local Facebook users, the answer is everything from a roller rink with a separate parking garage for golf carts, to a Trader Joe’s (because of course), to a Cheesecake Factory that somehow also accommodates a small, artisanal cheese shop. The official line from anyone involved in actual development remains quiet, which, translated for local ears, means they’re waiting to see what chain restaurant offers the best lease.

The property, a notable landmark on SR 312 for its sheer size and the sheer number of vehicles that once circled it looking for a spot, sits vacant. This absence has sparked a veritable digital town hall on local social media groups, with thousands of residents weighing in. The suggestions range from the practical (another Publix, because you can never have enough Publix) to the fantastical (an indoor water park, which, given the humidity, is technically just called 'outside').

Residents are, of course, looking for something that will truly serve the community. And by 'serve the community,' they generally mean 'reduce my drive time to a specific store' or 'provide more parking that isn't already claimed by tourists by 9 AM.' The conversation has become a spirited debate on everything from zoning laws to the existential dread of seeing another nail salon pop up when what you really wanted was a store that sells nothing but various types of mustard.

At publishing time, the building remains empty, a silent monument to St. Augustine’s collective hopes and dreams. Also, its collective frustration over traffic on SR 312 that will only get worse once whatever goes in there actually opens.