IHOP Stays, Burlington Coat Factory Goes

A new IHOP is being built in the Northborough Crossings Plaza in Northborough, but don't worry—the Shrewsbury location isn't closing.

"We've heard from a ton of customers concerned that we are moving, but that one is being opened by a different owner," said Carol Pontremoli, manager of the . "The owner has been here for the last 22 years and this location has been here for a lot longer—we're not going anywhere."

The IHOP location in Shrewsbury has the retro-style A-frame building located in White City Plaza west and lines are usually out the door on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Another business in town, , though, through the domino effect, is leaving Shrewsbury because of Wegman's.

BJs in Westborough left its location to move to the Northborough Crossing Plaza. The vacant plaza on Route 9 in Westborough will house Burlington Coat Factory, according to a manager at the current Shrewsbury store.

The Shrewsbury store is located in the Christmas Tree Shops Plaza near Route 9 and Route 20, a stone's throw from the Northborough Crossing Plaza.

Michael's in Shrewsbury also relocated to the Northborough Crossing Plaza when it opened, leaving a large store vacant in White City, though a gym may be moving into that vacant space.

Does it concern you that businesses are leaving Shrewsbury? What affect will this have on our low tax rate? How can the town officials attract businesses to town? Tell us in the comments.