Dear friends and fellow Shorewoodians,
When I read that 60 people showed up to oppose Deborah Kern’s (Owner of the Garden Room/Anaba Tea Room), proposal to put a parking lot in the place of a house she purchased behind her store, I realized that those that often support ideas don’t speak out like those who oppose them. I want to offer some thoughts from another side.
Much has been made of a parking lot “increasing crime” – for some parking lots in more remote places that may be true. At the same time, the residents on that block have a giant parking lot across the street and according to Shorewood police, no incidents of crime have been reported there. Additionally, the proposed lot (as well as all the houses on the block) could hardly be closer to the police station that is open 24 hours a day. The assertion makes no sense to me.
Secondly, if a parking lot causes property values to drop, then the houses on Frederick would not be worth much, given the lot across the street — but I’m going to guess your taxes are about the same as mine.
I would encourage us to look at the upside of The Garden Room’s proposal:
- I can hardly find a place to park on Capitol on that block or the next one to the east. This lot, behind the store will open spaces on the street.
- Deborah Kern has proposed an environmentally responsible lot including a rain garden. More expensive to do, but much in keeping with our community’s environmental philosophy.
- Ms. Kern has paid nearly a quarter of a million dollars in property taxes to the village in the last 11 years. With her renovations, she has increased the building’s value by 125%. We could lose all of that revenue if she has to relocate the store.
- She employees 25 people and has personally contributed nearly $20,000 to schools, the Criterium, the SEED Foundation and the Shorewood Men’s Club since opening the store.
- Not all of the Garden Room or Anaba Tea Room’s customers come from Shorewood — but all of the 36,250 people that come in are bringing revenue to our village.
I understand it is difficult to lose a good Shorewood house — I get that. I also know we live in a different world economically and we can’t afford to lose good local businesses or the revenue they bring to our village. We risk losing all of this. I have spoken with Deborah and if her business continues to suffer (in an already horrendous economy) because of parking, we stand to lose the Garden Room and Anaba in Shorewood. We don’t need more empty storefronts.
When Scott Walker slashed the rights of teachers, unions, women and schools, many of us rightfully picked up our clipboards and hit the political trail. But I think we’ve taken our clipboards and our anger a little too far here. This story is about a philanthropic woman with a good local business that feeds our community -- which we stand to lose.
If you tend to agree, consider coming to the meeting of the Village Board on November 19 at 7:30 p.m. or calling a board member to let them know there IS another viewpoint. Thanks.
Though, I would have to say that having car doors opening/closing/slamming shut right outside ones window w/ people who have no connection/empathy for the residents is a bit different than what's happening across the street and I don't believe the library is open late into the evening. Is Anaba open late/later into the evening? What about the noise of snowplows coming through from outisde ones window in the early morning hours or throughout the night/s during a heavy snowstorm. Ms. McCanse, is your bedroom window potentially outside a very busy parking lot? Though, as the article states, Ms. Kern has sunk quite a bit of $$ into this property. I remember when it was a car repair garage and what a grease pit and eyesore it was. If Ms Kern did pick up and relocate, would she be able to recoup her costs? City Market on the next block doesn't have any off street parking or the ability for customers to utilize a parking lot close like Anaba's customers do for the library and they do quite the business or did when I stopped in a few times. Then again, Dan Katz has already been granted permission for his commercial property next door to tear down a house and create a parking lot which he did and which benefits him financially. Good luck.
On the other side of the argument, the house she wants to tear down is kind of homely-looking with it's white aluminum siding and blocky hedges. I can also see how a rain garden would be more environmentally beneficial than another dark-shingled roof. Hopefully she'll opt for something other than black asphalt (concrete? bricks?) for the parking lot if she gets her way. Shorewood is being covered in asphalt and it's horrible and NOT more cost-effective in the long run.
I find it hard to believe her business is suffering due to lack of parking. If her business is so unique people will get there if they want to. There is seriously no lack of parking there at all. If a family moved in there with taxes around 5 - 6 thousand a year that would bring in 60,000 in ten years as well as possible children in the school system and potential customers to other shops. I guess Ms kerns can do whatever she wants to though and it sounds like she will whether we like it or not but let's try to keep the facts in perspective. I don't think her business alone is what is keeping Shorewood alive.
You mean Governor Walker and the majority of Wisconsin voters. I guess you still don't understand how you picking up your clipboards was an attack on the good people of Wisconsin by special interest unions. You lost, get over it!
Anaba's space is very valuable and more so since they have probably sunk a ton of $ into it. I'm sure a number of businesses would find that space very attractive. You can sell the business/space for more $ w/ parking and someone can potentially use it as a bargaining tool if there is a need to sell the space sooner due to moving to another location, Additionally, having a parking lot in the rear could facilitate deliveries/possibly expansion (including, but not limited to a patio) and who's to say that the owner could not benefit from potentially renting out spaces overnight to Katz residents or anyone else looking for parking spaces, if that was feasible.
It doesn't seem that you've been listening authentically or have done enough thinking about this issue. Razing the house to build a parking lot does not seem to be how we help co-create a sustainable future for our childrens' children...
The building is roughly 5,100 sq ft and across the street, also on Capitol, you have the strip center containing City Market along w/ 3 other businesses (the pizza place also has a kitchen) totalling 8,700 sq ft and that property is assessed at $1,234,000.00, Basically, Anaba is being assessed @ ~$187.00 per sq foot and the City Market building is being assessed @ ~$141.00 per sq foot. I believe that City Market has sunk tons of $$$ into that space as well in addition to receiving grant $$ for the patio that greatly contributes to the income stream for that business alone. Also, that building does have @4/5 parking spaces in the rear off the alley. Why, what seems to be such a discrepency in assessments per sq ft between the 2 properties? Especially since Anaba is walled in on both sides by adjoining businesses whereas City Market building has 2 sides that are glass and double the exposure on 2 main arteries ie Capitol/Maryland along w/ very spacious outdoor seating in addition to the other businesses houses in that building?
Why is Anaba's assessment so high compared to other properties?
I think GR offers a product that Shorewood would like - I have no problem with that, their gifts are cute, some are in a reasonable price range while most are not. I can brew just as good a cup of tea at home and have just as good a meal but admittedly do not care for the cuisine at Anaba. I'd rather dine at CM, where while I am greeted my order may not always come as requested. I at least feel at home and wanted there which I can honestly say that I do not at GM. I am a life long North Shore resident and have shopped and dealt with some of the snootiest but this place has a negative vibe to it - starting with the gal up front. You only get one chance to make a first impression.
The Garden Room should have access to all the legal firepower available since the owner's father founded Generac ie "Generac Power Systems, one of the world's largest independent manufacturers of complete engine-driven generator systems. " It will be interesting to see what, if any, of the plan commission members/trustees get weak kneed at the potential thought of doing business w/ someone who seemingly has so many resources/connections/influence. Bring it on..This could get interesting or maybe not
Once again, I appreciate all my fellow Shorewoodians who have approached this topic in a thoughtful, respectful way reflective of our values here--and demonstrating to our kids what collaborative problem solving involves.
Money does talk along w/ the opportunities/power that come with it. So, even though it was more along the lines of the National Inquirer to bring into the mix the Generac connection, is a pretty powerful connection. So, in the world you live in maybe everyone is equal and has an equal say/chance at things. Though, that's not reality. Just look at some of the kids who get busted for drugs/stealing/DUI's in the northshore and who's parents come forward with their lawyers to get them off/records cleared so they don't have a blemished record when applying to college/jobs. Money talks and I'm just interested if it will in this instance as well. I previously thought Dan Katz had the advantage in his situation because of his "resources/access to legal counsel.though he is an attorney himself" Now, w/ this bit of info and since the decision makers already opened the door/set some sort of precedent w/ tearing down another house, Anaba doesn't have to worry about having the $ to pursue a legal battle, if they choose and there is merit, which can be a deterrant for many others w/out resources.