Financial Assistance for Shorewood Sendik's Remodel Receives Preliminary Approval

Before the dust is kicked up on a development slated for their parking lot, the owners of in Shorewood are trying to get some renovations at their grocery underway.

The village could help grocery store owners John and Anne Nehring with the improvements, as the village’s Community Development Authority recommended Friday the village provide a $350,000 package: a $150,000 business incentive loan and $200,000 grant.

The Village Board will consider the financial package for final approval at its meeting Monday night. Shorewood will fund the grant and loan from its Tax Incremental District No. 1. The loan would be split into two parts, with $100,000 under a 10-year term and $50,000 under a four-year term.

The remodel will include a lot of minor changes, moving of aisles, replacing equipment and redoing floors.

The Nerhings hope to get the renovations started by mid-January and complete them before major work starts on slated for the Sendik’s parking lot at 4027 N. Oakland Ave. The development also includes two parking structures and retail space for , which resides at 4081 N. Oakland Ave.

Once construction starts, it will likely disrupt and reduce business at the grocer and the Nehrings said they also want to be able to compete with the store down the street, if at 4145 N. Oakland Ave.

"If Pick 'n Save does expand and wants to build a metro market, that's fine, but there are certain things we can do that they can't," Nehring said at a previous meeting.

CDA members discussed the grant and loan for about an hour, with the dialogue centered around the scope of work.

The Nehrings said an elevator shaft in their grocery was identified as a possible code violation, but North Shore Fire Department officials and the village inspector agreed it wasn’t a safety hazard. However, the state still has to agree, and if it doesn't, the project cost could triple.

John Nehring also said he would like to start serving more hot, ready-to-eat food in the store after the renovation. He plans to add another entrance to the store as well.