What happened to the groomer next to Cosmos? One day he's open and the next day "POOF!" he's gone. We took our little beast there a couple of weeks ago and he came back looking great. Even made another appointment.

You buy a failing business that couldn't draw clients in an industry with notoriously low profit margins and massive big box competition...and move it to an even more off-the-beaten path and down market space. I would be stunned if they brought in an average of $150 a week in the short time they were there.

A fool and his money...

So now there are two empty storefronts that housed dog bathers/groomers?!?!?

Line 'em up landlords! Knowing how they upkeep their empty storefronts I'm sure the dog reek will attract all kinds of potential suitors.

Are you saying this is the Landlords fault?

Don't we still have an EDC?

How is that recruiting going?

I haven't seen any activity (with the exception of the Figo space) in quite some time.

Any news on the old antique store on Penn? What's it been? 3, 4 years now?

How about that beautiful space on the NW corner of Main and Crescent? Still empty?

Change the zoning! Time for an update, It's 2010.

Hello. . . . . . . . anyone out there?

quote:

How about that beautiful space on the NW corner of Main and Crescent? Still empty?

Can that space be used for a restaurant?

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Don't we still have an EDC?

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Any news on the old antique store on Penn? What's it been? 3, 4 years now?

[quote]How about that beautiful space on the NW corner of Main and Crescent? Still empty

I truly believe that the current economy does not excite new business. IMHO.
I firmly believe our cbd really needs our support. When a business fails in our cbd it sort of reflects on us as residents.
If there were fewer complaints on this B.B.
about what our local business does wrong and more about what they do right, maybe more business would be willing to take the plunge in our cbd. All start up business ventures involve many inherited risks. Any prospective business owner who reads some of the negativity on this B.B. about current business in our cbd may not want to chance any negative publicity. That's my humble opinion.
About the EDC. There is a vacancy on the EDC for a Glen Ellyn Rep.
GEM. I appeal to your insight and wisdom about economic depelopment and suggest you apply for the vacancy on the EDC.
I truly believe you could make a difference.

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:
Are you saying this is the Landlords fault?

No.... saying that I hope they clean up any dog mess.

quote:

Originally posted by GEM:
Any news on the old antique store on Penn? What's it been? 3, 4 years now?

There was supposed to be an organic grocery store / lunch place moving in there two years ago. There were rumors of some dispute with the EDC over Honey moving in, some output of money to fix the plumbing in/and leading into that building, and then rumors of some issues with the adjacent parking lot... and then poof nothing.

I think that dog store is currently in as-is condition when they shut down. No awning, cracked window covered up with 4 or 5 feet of duct tape, a bunch of old C.O.C. and/or GEVFD stickers pasted on the door.

As rugged as my dog is...I wouldn't have taken her there based on what I saw on the outside. But Bitterboy has told me in confidence that he doesn't really like his dog. Which explains why he went there.

It was either the very definition or the exact opposite of Glen Ellyn Style. Can't figure out which.

quote:

Originally posted by Graham:
GEM. I appeal to your insight and wisdom about economic depelopment and suggest you apply for the vacancy on the EDC.
I truly believe you could make a difference.

It's simple.

Review the zoning. When the CBD was zoned, we hadn't even heard of the internet, Walmart, Home Depot ect. Our CBD is in direct competition with these entities and the result is very apparent.

Allow some "service" type business in the CBD not just retail on the first floor.

i.e. (each building may have one, or two "service" related tenants based on Sq. footage. Charge some sort of "Service" permit fee to make up for the lost sales tax revenue (yes the same revenue the empty spaces aren't collecting.)

Have more events in the CBD to draw people. (not another car show) come up with some other events to draw families (having small children, I can't tell you how far we drive to go to some silly assed event just because it may cater to the kids.)

O.k. This might be a start and then modify and improve upon the revisions.


My family once owned a parcel in town here that was difficult to keep rented. The Village insisted we have a "retailer" as they wanted sales tax revenue. Retailers who rented the space, never really did that well or lasted that long.

To make a long story short, When the property was empty (once again) my Father posted a sign in the window, something to the effect "Adult Bookstore and Video". There was no zoning to prohibit this type of business at the time and the Village was very very unhappy. So he made a deal. He wouldn't open the "Adult" store, if they would allow a service business. The village agreed and service (office type) business moved in and stayed for almost 20 years until they outgrew the space. The people who worked in the "office" became customers of many of the local businesses, several even rented apartments and/or moved here.

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my Father posted a sign in the window, something to the effect "Adult Bookstore and Video".

That's GE Style!

Oh, yeah, one last thing.

When someone makes a capital improvement or repair on the property, Don't increase the value and the taxes as if the whole place has been rebuilt.

Tenants tear out the old unit to do their build-out. A permit is pulled, the value of the build-out is then tacked onto the value of the building and over taxed accordingly, without any consideration for the "value" that was removed by gutting the space. (i.e. the value just keeps getting assessed higher and higher) This is no way to provide any building owner with any incentives to improve the property. They fix the place up and the tax man comes along and asks you to grab your ankles. Really?!!! Whats the incentive?!

Your suggestions are excellent.It appears you have researched this well. Don't keep your ideas confined to this B.B. Go for that vacancy on the EDC.

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Originally posted by Yossarian:

That's GE Style!

Noooooo, That's cutting through the bureaucratic red tape.

Seriously Yoss, Did you ever try to get a special use permit in this town?


It's like a six month process. Hellooooo the meter is still running.


O.k, last story for now, I promise!!

I was having a conversation with a "Village Employee" relative to the length of time it had been taking a retailer to obtain all the permits and everything else she need to complete the build-out and open her store.

I said something to the effect that she may wind up in the poor house, before the Village gives her final approvals/occupancy permit. I'm sure she is paying rent and additional overhead.

I was astonished by their reply.


The Village Employee told me (and another retailer who was with me.):

"They are very, very wealthy. They can afford it."

Now my friend (Yoss!) That's Glen Ellyn Style!

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Go for that vacancy on the EDC.

The EDC is basically a specialized marketing and advertising agency. They have nothing to do with village government planning & zoning or taxation policy.

The EDC can (and does) make suggestions and recommendations to the village government, but they are generally ignored.

Why do they keep the EDC then? Aren't they funded with Taxpayer dollars?

Wouldn't it be more effective to use an outside agency that has a much broader reach, more contacts and networking than an "in house" "agency"?

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It's like a six month process.

You think that's bad? It's been years, and we still don't have a decent village manager.

It's been two years since the Christmas tree lights guy smashed into my window. I have only received one call from the village and still haven't had this resolved. Apparently they are cutting back by not returning phone calls.

The lion's share of EDC funding comes from SSA (business property) taxes. The EDC does things the village can't, won't or doesn't wish to do directly. Most of the things you think the EDC should do are responsibilities the village government can't, won't or doesn't wish to give up.

In any case, you probably should peruse the EDC websit before you come down too hard on them regarding what they do — or don't — do.