MANSFIELD — We’ve got our winner: The next question our newsroom will answer in our Open Source series is, “What’s going on with the little bakery on Lexington Avenue, right by Abbeyfeale Road? Are they open or closed? For sale or not?”

The question won Richland Source’s recent vote with 227 of 387 votes. 

The two other competing questions were:

1. “I’ve read about a man who found a way to have a vast slab removed and ground for $5 a ton and to sell it for $7 at the former PPG in Mount Vernon. Could that be replicated in Mansfield?”

2. “What are the responsibilities of victim advocates in the prosecutor’s office? Are they used/useful ? From their perspective and the victims more importantly?” 

The question about removing a slab received 96 votes, while the question about victim advocates received 70 votes. 

The winning question was asked by reader Adam Longstreth, who passes the bakery daily on his way to work. He had stopped by the bakery just before Christmas to pick up some cookies and was told the bakery would be closing for a couple months.

“The ladies told me then, that they would be shutting down for a couple months, though they didn’t explain why, and informed me I would have to pick up my order no later than Christmas Eve Day by noon, as that would be their last day until they re-opened,” Longstreth said.

Further, he was curious because he’s noticed several different signs on the front of the building. He’s seen signs that say open, closed and for sale.

“I think if they’re open, it would be great for the communities that live around there to know,” he said. 

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, a sign read “closed for winter.” 

Richland Source has begun its reporting process by reaching out to the phone numbers listed on the building. Our reporter hopes to publish her findings as soon as possible. 

The other questions may not be immediately answered, but they might reappear in future voting rounds. 

And in the meantime, readers are encouraged to continue submitting questions through Open Source. Scroll down to submit a question, and yours could be answered next.

The newsroom will select some questions to answer immediately and put other up for a public vote, where the most popular question will be answered.