Now that the old Benny’s in Middletown no longer serves as a state-run vaccination center or COVID-19 testing site, what will it be? That’s anyone’s guess right now.

Two signs currently welcome visitors to 1400 West Main Road: one informs visitors that COVID testing is no longer taking place indoors, and the other reads in capital letters “AVAILABLE FOR RENTAL”.

Johnston-based developer Carpionato Group, which also bought the former Newport Grand property with its own grandiose plans, has gobbled up 29 of Benny’s 31 locations in Rhode Island, Connecticut and Massachusetts.

In 2019, it was announced that three of them – in Warwick, South Kingstown and Cranston – would become locations for another well-known retailer: Ocean State Job Lot. And the one in Mansfield, Massachusetts, was sold to Dollar General.

Here in Middletown there were plans for a BayCoast bank on the site at some point and rumors of a gym replacing the department store. But with the new “For Lease” listings, that doesn’t seem to be the case.

Here are some ideas that would fill a need on Aquidneck Island:

trampoline park

There’s Launch in Warwick and Get Air in Swansea, Massachusetts, though they’re both at least 25 minutes away by car. The old Benny’s would be a perfect location for a trampoline park, with ample parking, and like the other two, it would be located along a commercial strip.

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Dave’s Market

The local supermarket has 10 locations in the state, but none in Newport County. The nearest is in the village of North Kingstown in Wickford and few people will cross a bridge to get there. If a national chain was going to fill the old Benny’s, a Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe’s might fill the need.

Indoor pool

Swimming is one of those activities that keeps you young. It combines calorie-burning cardio with muscle building. The problem is that there are a limited number of places to swim. There is the Newport County YMCA and Newport County Boys and Girls Clubs, but hours are limited. A large area with several indoor pools (for year-round swimming) would be ideal.

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bowling alley

It’s been more than a decade since Middletown’s Hi-Way Bowl closed, and even more so since Aquidneck Lanes saw its last hit. The lanes closest to the area are Dudek Lanes in Warren and Wickford Lanes in North Kingstown. When it’s raining, or even when it’s way too hot to be outside, a bowling alley is the perfect place for family fun.

restaurant chain

Newport County is home to excellent restaurants, ranging from fine dining to family friendly. But sometimes you just want to hit a string. We have Chili’s and Applebee’s, but how about Olive Garden, Buffalo Wild Wings, Outback Steakhouse, Red Robin, Cracker Barrel or Cheesecake Factory? Or a Dave & Busters to give the little ones something to do on a Friday or Saturday evening.

Indoor sports facility

Longplex in Tiverton has been a fantastic addition to the area, with room for basketball, lacrosse, football, roller hockey and other sports. But it’s always crowded there. So why not open another closer one for the residents of Aquidneck Island? Parking there would be a breeze.

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Affordable housing complex

At a recent town meeting, Dennis Turano, a member of the Middletown town council, said, “We have an affordable housing problem. Our goal is to meet the needs in Middletown.

According to the Office of the Tax Assessor, the main building that houses Benny’s is 26,000 square feet. If it was a few stories high, that would certainly meet the need.

Manual car washes

Drive-through car washes are a dime a dozen on Aquidneck Island, but what about those who want to get out there and do the job themselves? A self-service car wash with a dozen bays would be a big hit and keep your ride fresh.

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Concert hall

Since the loss of the Newport Yachting Center – now the Hammetts Hotel – there really isn’t room to host bigger concerts, comedy shows and other acts. This could be an ideal spot for a small indoor amphitheater or a stage.

McDonald’s Playground

There is a McDonald’s across the street, but not one with a PlayPlace. The fast-food giant could move its operations about 300 feet west and build a massive PlayPlace that could also host birthday parties and other events.

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guitar center

Music aficionados who live here have to drive to Warwick — and beat the traffic on Bald Hill Road — or Attleboro, Massachusetts, to get all the gear they need for a gig or practice session. Newport Music opened last year on Bellevue Avenue, but options there are limited. A guitar center would provide everything a rock star could want.