Talking Buffalo to Make Way for Storage Containers

Every week we set out to answer a question submitted by one of our readers as part of our column.

Are you one of the people that's been wondering what's going to happen with the former home of Bugaboo Creek at the ?

Well, here's your answer.

No more talking buffalos or animated trees, but choppers can look forward to having all their storage container and organizational needs met sometime next year when a new specialty retail chain is likely to open at the mall.

Bugaboo Creek, which sits at the front corner of the mall along Route 114 and which after the restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy, will be torn down soon to make way for The Container Store, a chain of specialty retail stores that sell every kind, shape and size of storage container imaginable (plastic or otherwise) and organizational solutions for the home and office.

The company also sells related products, such as desk chairs, notebooks, pitchers, trashcans, etc.

Building Commissioner Kevin Goggin said the mall, which owns the property, has filed plans with his office for a new building with 24,000 square feet of leasable space – the shuttered restaurant is 10,800 square feet. Goggin said he has already issued a permit to demolish the existing structure.

Peabody attorney David Ankeles, who is representing the mall, appeared before the Planning Board last month for a site plan review. Board clerk Tessa Marc-Aurele said the project falls within established zoning for the site and board members had no issues with the plans.

There were no plans to make major changes to that front corner of the mall property other than the new building.

The site has been fenced off. Goggin says his understanding is that construction will begin in earnest after Jan. 1 and will likely be complete this summer.

Simon Property Group has made no formal announcements yet in regards to the new store.

The Container Store, which opened its first store in 1978 in Dallas, Texas and now has stores coast to coast, does have two Massachusetts locations already – Chestnut Hill and Natick. The company also offers online shopping.

So there you have it. Send your questions in to peabody@patch.com and we'll get you answer in the next installment of "You Ask...Patch Answers" as soon as we're able.