Post by Mark Patenaude on Jan 25, 2006 11:12:29 GMT -5
...your point about being an opponent of development has now hit home with me.
Though I am in the development business, and having already stated my opinion about some of the positives of controlled growth, I must convey to you some recent news I received about one of the "negatives"...
I frequent an excellent fly shop in Glen Ellyn, Illinois called "Fly and Field". It is always well stocked, the service is friendly and the guys who work there have excellent knowledge of our sport.
On Monday night I was asked to conduct a tying demonstration there for a group that I belong to called the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. While there I found out that the shop was going to be closing its doors. I was absolutely shocked as they do a brisk level of business and is one of the few fly shops left in the area.
It turns out that the condo developer that had built a number of condos down the street now wants that balance of the street to build additional buildings. The shop's lease is not being renewed and the property is being sold. I am very upset by this for a number of reasons. The owner is an artist by background and creates wonderful bonze castings of fly fishing scenes and is only in his mid-30's. He had the potential to build the business into something great and because of obvious greed, his dream has been trashed. It appears that the cost to relocate is too great and will impact on the shop to a point where it is not economically feasible.
I have a number of friends in the commercial real estate field and have begun to make phone calls to see if I can swing a deal for them that might make it worth their while to relocate.
Wish me luck...
Thanks again for the excellent debate on this topic. If I get a chance to get back to the area this year, I would really like to wet a line with you. I have a feeling we would spend the majority of our time sitting on the bank in deep discussion on a number of topics. You seem very well read...
Best Regards,
Mark
Though I am in the development business, and having already stated my opinion about some of the positives of controlled growth, I must convey to you some recent news I received about one of the "negatives"...
I frequent an excellent fly shop in Glen Ellyn, Illinois called "Fly and Field". It is always well stocked, the service is friendly and the guys who work there have excellent knowledge of our sport.
On Monday night I was asked to conduct a tying demonstration there for a group that I belong to called the Illinois Smallmouth Alliance. While there I found out that the shop was going to be closing its doors. I was absolutely shocked as they do a brisk level of business and is one of the few fly shops left in the area.
It turns out that the condo developer that had built a number of condos down the street now wants that balance of the street to build additional buildings. The shop's lease is not being renewed and the property is being sold. I am very upset by this for a number of reasons. The owner is an artist by background and creates wonderful bonze castings of fly fishing scenes and is only in his mid-30's. He had the potential to build the business into something great and because of obvious greed, his dream has been trashed. It appears that the cost to relocate is too great and will impact on the shop to a point where it is not economically feasible.
I have a number of friends in the commercial real estate field and have begun to make phone calls to see if I can swing a deal for them that might make it worth their while to relocate.
Wish me luck...
Thanks again for the excellent debate on this topic. If I get a chance to get back to the area this year, I would really like to wet a line with you. I have a feeling we would spend the majority of our time sitting on the bank in deep discussion on a number of topics. You seem very well read...
Best Regards,
Mark
