Amy, If the hours are inconvenient,then why do the cars buzz around and the "patrons" line up out front like vultures on a fence when one of these merchants goes belly up?

Hey Clam, Did you ever find out what was wrapped around that building by the fire station? I asked the guys working in Honey, but they didn't know.

quote:

Originally posted by Tennwlkr:
Amy, If the hours are inconvenient,then why do the cars buzz around and the "patrons" line up out front like vultures on a fence when one of these merchants goes belly up?

I wouldn't know since I was probably at work.

If they were open Thursday evening for a clearance sale, I might have known about it but the only place I remember going to when they were truly moving or going out of business was Villa Bianca and that's because I was downtown with my husband one evening and they were open.

The only other "going out of business sale" I remember was Dean Olson's which lasted several years.

I will be able to shop downtown more this year as I am not working for 07-08 school year. Perhaps I will finally understand the privilidge of being a stay-at-home mom and be able to shop when places are open! I am lucky to be able to take the year off....

Now, maybe you could be slightly less nasty. People may complain on this site but even with the complaints, few of us get as nasty as the tone you intonate in your writing. Sorry if you have a bug up your butt about it but if we could get someone who is a little more forward thinking and who actually reads the complaints and says, "Oh, there is some validity in what is being said here," things would improve.

I am very loyal to my town but I don't need to take sh*t from you because I try to offer specific feedback as to why I can't utilize the shops as much as I'd like.

Why is Wheaton's downtown doing so much better?

quote:

Originally posted by Tennwlkr:
Just remember, This is "Your Home Town" and it will be exactly what you want it to be! If you want to keep complaining about the vacancies then stay home for another 35 years. If a merchant doesn't have something you need, then ask if they will carry it! The merchants are just regular people trying to make ends meet just like the rest of us. It appears it is always easier to complain about someone else's house than to build one of your own

I'll excuse you because you're new to this board. While others have complained about the state of downtown, I am not among that group. I have shopped in downtown for many years. Bought all my appliances at Young's and have encouraged others to check out their prices. I have even bought all my Christmas presents from downtown merchants.(How can you beat free wrapping?)

Perhaps you need to take a breath and step back before you make such an accusatory post.

quote:

Originally posted by Amy:

Now, maybe you could be slightly less nasty...

I am very loyal to my town but I don't need to take sh*t from you because I try to offer specific feedback as to why I can't utilize the shops as much as I'd like.

Why is Wheaton's downtown doing so much better?

Oh, Amy, we have been nastier, but I do think his pitch at humor got away from him.

Had an interesting evening last night listening to Janie Patch and Jim Meyers talk to the Go Downtown group. Several retailers, preservation people, and current and former trustees. Got a little confrontational at times. Kudos to them for taking shots for 2 hours.

Without being negative, I think I heard that the EDC is hamstrung by the Village failing to authorize a strategic plan. It seems the answer I heard was that the Village Government "might not" accept the plan EDC presented. The Village is laissez faire about things, letting the market work itself out. Which requires me to ask the question: If we need a strategic plan for downtown business, can this not be compiled by EDC and then EDC would actually have the bully pulpit?

A lot of time was spent talking about a restrictive covenant on the village owned fire station site. The site must remain a fire station. Probably the most buildable site in the downtown district. That covenant must be publicly recorded. Has the Village investigated any way around it? We heard from some that the fire station in its present location is inefficient, and was originally located there due to volunteer nature of the department early in the town's existence.

As to Wheaton's downtown. I believe TIF has a lot to do with that. That would take intervention by the Village Government, which they have been loathe to do in a forward sense. There was a lot of talk last night about the need for SSA assessments on downtown properties. Currently there are none.

Now for my negative. I watched the presentation and heard that Trader Joe's was recruited to take over the site they have. That might be an overstatement.

Second, in the display of businesses that show the crown jewel that is Roosevelt Road, with banners and posts and lighting that lets you know you are in Glen Ellyn, why did we not see any pictures of our SECOND pay day loan store which opened next to Arvati's. Surely, there must be some sort of zoning that keeps these predators out. 2 payday loan stores and a currency exchange within 1 block of each other? Next to the poorest area of the town? Ooops bad choice of words. Next to the apartments?

Finally, speaking of predators. Why can we not zone out the banks from the downtown business district? They provide no foot traffic. No retail sales. Oh, that's right. The landlord is happy. I know the banks are tremendous renters, but they starve retail sales in a foot traffic area like downtown.

In any event, I met some nice people, old foes, and got a better perspective on the problems. Even if my head is spinning.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: ronkas,

I was raised in a small town and so am very aware of how important "shopping locally" is to the health of the community. I try to forgo driving to get things I can easily get in town. I factor in the time and gas cost - very real these days - of chasing a bargain in a Target or Costco. I limit trips to these stores as they often lead to buying stuff I hadn't intended to buy - the dreaded impulse purchases. We shop at McChesney's, but not exclusively and use service businesses in town. We eat out at least once a week in town - Cab's last night and it was very, very good.

I used Schmid when it had the pharmacy and had intentions of using Craig's (back to the thread) but never got around to it. When the pharmacy closed, Schmid's transferred all of its patient information to Walgreens, as I recall.

I have never had a parking problem in GE that walking a few blocks didn't solve. This is a compaint that continues to baffle me. And for the truly disabled - there are always spaces.

I can certainly see how the limited hours would be a problem for couples where both worked - I am one of those privileged stay-at-home moms.

OK Ron, maybe others have been that nasty but I have tried very hard not to. If our friendly poster was trying to be funny, a little smiley face helps because the words sure don't sound like that. Anyway, I'm glad you attended that meeting. From what you've said it sounds like the village and EDC aren't working together as they should...if that perception is accurate then what a shame.

GEMom, I hope you did take my comment about being privilidged to stay home as it is and not as a slight. I feel very, very lucky that I will have the opporutnity (priviledge) to stay home this year, even if it is only one year. I greatly appreciate the job of mom and if I could have found a way to stay home, I would have. Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you understood. I assume from your smiley face that you did.

I'll excuse you because you're new to this board. While others have complained about the state of downtown, I am not among that group. I have shopped in downtown for many years. Bought all my appliances at Young's and have encouraged others to check out their prices. I have even bought all my Christmas presents from downtown merchants.(How can you beat free wrapping?)

Your right! Please accept my apology! However you seemed proud of the fact that you never stepped foot into Craigs. Have you ever shopped at Soukups? They have better prices than Youngs!

Amy - In life and on the message board, a little smiley face goes a long way! But FYI - there will be days this year when you definitely wish you were not at home. See how easy, now you know I'm not being too serious with the little emoticon!

Wheatons downtown is doing much better because they had changed their zoning. There is a great mix of all types of businesses to include retail, food and services! Parking is about the same, but they do have the garage on the west side, however people still have to walk. The future success of our downtown will be to allow service alongside retail to help increase the consumer traffic downtown.

quote:

Originally posted by GEmom2:
I have never had a parking problem in GE that walking a few blocks didn't solve. This is a compaint that continues to baffle me. And for the truly disabled - there are always spaces.

Totally agree. Even on saturday/friday evenings, I've never experienced a galling problem. I like walking through our downtown and if I need to park on crescent to walk to thipi or vitorios, no bigs.

Of course, the minor parking inconvenience I experience is a function of the number of people who drive to the destination now. Perhaps the potential parking issue that would exist if we had a thriving downtown is what there is concern about.

Amy, I'm not trying to give you sh*t, but why don't you call an ace an ace instead of making excuses? If you want to be constructive then say it like it is! for example, I like the hours at Walmart, Walgreen's and Costco. I like their lower prices! I like to park right up front! I like to go when my husband is home to watch the kids ect. ect. ect. I'm sorry but I can't validate excuses, only the truth.

quote:

Originally posted by Tennwlkr:

Your right! Please accept my apology! However you seemed proud of the fact that you never stepped foot into Craigs. Have you ever shopped at Soukups? They have better prices than Youngs!

I've shopped at Soukups most of my years in town. However, up until a few years ago, both of us have been in pretty good health. Now that we take pills regularly, we had to pick a pharmacy. I need to keep my scrips at one place. We chose OSCO at first just because it was convenient to pick up scrips when I was grocery shopping. When Walgreens opened at 5 Corners we switched because we could also have them filled, without fuss, in Wisconsin. Just like restaurants, I prefer one over another. I've shopped at every store in Glen Ellyn at one time or another and there are a few that I really miss. Sorry if you misunderstood my meaning.

quote:

Originally posted by Amy:


Why is Wheaton's downtown doing so much better?

Wait, wait. I'll answer that one!

Wheaton's downtown is doing so much better because it *is* so much better. There's a variety of shops, they're not all boarded up, and it is -- truly -- a nice place to walk around and shop. There's parking, too. A nice big garage. Good restaurants, a fun faux-French Market, interesting stores (discounting, I suppose, the religious stuff which I call neither interesting nor uninteresting and simply say, "Well, those stores have to exist somewhere, I guess -- so why *not* Wheaton?")

Go a little farther, and you'll hit Naperville. The big mama of all "little" towns -- but still a far, far better way to experience a nice weekend afternoon.

Look, I've been lurking in these shopping threads for a long time. I've seen Ted close down the board twice now due to odd bursts of vitriol from various posters. Perhaps I posted my share early on. I dunno. I get irate.

Anyway, this downtown shopping stuff isn't complex. The village wants to make it complex, I think -- and is happy to throw all sorts of reasons around why despite all the closures, the town really *is* a nice place to shop.

Well, it's not. The town's not -- now, at least -- a nice place to shop.

It's depressing as hell, quite frankly. What, now I hear the bookstore -- one the best used bookstores around -- is reducing stock? An ugly rumor? A rumbling of bad things to come? Who knows. I read it here first. *shrug*

Wheaton beats GE, hands down. It's nice, there are people out and about, and you can actually get things you need -- not just expensive clothes for the grandmother set, odd dolls, and ... what? I don't even know what's left.

Just bring in the stores that people want. Knock off the excuses. You have models of successful shopping districts. Study them. Make it work.

Is it complex? Am I missing something?

You are Correct!! It isn't complex in theory. Unfortunately You need to go to meetings and apply for special use permits if your business plan is the slightest bit different from that of the permitted uses. Then you have to wait 30 days to notify the community and allow them to come to a meeting, then wait another 30 days for a study. ect. 30 days ect. 30 days ect. Then you need permits for signs, awnings any remodeling other than slapping a coat of paint on the place. The regulation is good for the public, but the process takes 4-EVER. Glen Ellyn has the reputation of being one of the hardest places to open up shop. The regulations for posting any type of sign is over 18 pages. Who wants to come here unless you enjoy jumping hoops? Commerce (Like a proper lady) is only going to go where she is invited and stay where she feels welcome!

quote:

Originally posted by Tennwlkr:
I'll excuse you because you're new to this board. While others have complained about the state of downtown, I am not among that group. I have shopped in downtown for many years. Bought all my appliances at Young's and have encouraged others to check out their prices. I have even bought all my Christmas presents from downtown merchants.(How can you beat free wrapping?)

Your right! Please accept my apology! However you seemed proud of the fact that you never stepped foot into Craigs. Have you ever shopped at Soukups? They have better prices than Youngs!

Welcome to the board.

quote:

Originally posted by Tennwlkr:
Who wants to come here unless you enjoy jumping hoops? Commerce (Like a proper lady) is only going to go where she is invited and stay where she feels welcome!

Does GE assist merchants with jumping through the hoops?

Or does the enjoy blocking the merchants as they attempt to make the jump through the hoops?

I get the sense that someone -- probably someone old and weirdly out of touch -- derives great pleasure from saying, "No" to merchants. I can only assume it's an older person, since anyone below the age of 35 has given up on shopping in Glen Ellyn.

I'm hearing that typewriter and hat shops are quite welcome. Obviously, typewriters and hat shops are sorta out at the moment.

So why doesn't someone a little, er, more progressive -- urge the old folks in the town management to switch off the Golden Girls reruns and get to moving?

I mean -- I know why. I know. I understand. But why are people so accepting of the difficulties -- particularly if the difficulties are causing the downtown to become a grungy little ghost town?

Why aren't merchants more vocal? Why aren't heads (and hats) rolling in village management? Why has this mess been put with for so long?

There's nothing worse -- truly -- than a downtown with boarded up shops and folks on every bench, yelling at you for money. You get one coffee and feel like you're walking a gauntlet. It certainly ain't quaint.

Meanwhile, what? The Chamber has brunches? I dunno. Three cheers for the speech on how to "quaintify" your shopping district -- and, you there, bring on that Eggs Benedict.

Glen Ellyn town management -- a ghost ship helmed by Kafka.

quote:

Why aren't merchants more vocal?

You would have been surprised to see the number of retailers supporting EDC last night. One merchant was apoplectic, but the rest were talking about how they get the support of EDC. Discuss: Why the disconnect?

quote:

Originally posted by ronkas:

quote:

Why aren't merchants more vocal?

You would have been surprised to see the number of retailers supporting EDC last night. One merchant was apoplectic, but the rest were talking about how they get the support of EDC. Discuss: Why the disconnect?

What was bugging the guy (or gal) that was apoplectic?

quote:

What was bugging the guy (or gal) that was apoplectic?

Perceived slights by COC and EDC. "What have you done for me lately" kind of stuff.