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We're trying so hard in Lubbock. Trying to make a safer, cleaner place, with vibrant new businesses. Then, we come along a spot that can really only be improved by a good coat of fire.

Growing up, I used to LOVE some Long John Silver's. I was especially a fan of their chicken basket and the popcorn shrimp. When I drove past this building at 3415 Loop 289 South, my youthful emotions were triggered when I realized what it used to be. A (now closed) Long John Silver's.

Lance Ballance, Townsquare Media

I honestly don't know how long this location has been closed, but a quick look at the Long John Silver's website shows no sign of it at all. A quick look would give the impression that everyone just walked out during the lunch rush and left things as they were...almost as it would look post-apocalypse.

Lance Ballance, Townsquare Media

As you pull up to the drive-thru window, it's obvious that someone has forced their way in, yet left things just as they were. A point-of-sale register is just inside the window to the left, along with a soda machine. The menu displays, abandoned.

Seeing the drive-thru window wide open piqued my curiosity. However, there was no way on Earth that I was climbing in there.

Lance Ballance, Townsquare Media

For starters, who knows who or what could also be inside? I have this aversion to dying, after all. Plus, this makes for the perfect location for squatters, junkies or worse to set up shop.

It's apparent that it's been accessed, but for what purpose? For all we know, there could be someone either dead or dying inside and no one would ever know about it until they finally tear the building down.

This begs the question: someone has to own this building, right? After all, there are other Long John Silver's locations in the Lubbock area. Has no one involved checked to make sure that this one is secure? I'd figure if anything bad happens, there will be some heavy liability issues.

Someone needs to do something about this blight and take some pride in Lubbock.


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