wfbsendikslover
Maybe it was an exaggeration to say, “significantly lower”. It would have been better to say competitive because it is more accurate.

I do agree with you that there are many concerns on SS drive, most importantly the lack of restaurants and attractive retailers. Sendik’s is the kind of anchor that can help attract better retailers to the street. But what retailer would want to come to wfb when the building owners have let their buildings crumble?

It also seems that every time a developer comes along and wants to build in wfb that the village and its residents shoot them down. They don't want the noise or the traffic that come along with a successful business district. They don't want the proposed building to cast a shadow across their lawn. How do we get past that?

Maybe a newly remodeled or expanded Sendik’s would start a trend...???

Posted at: 2007-12-01 13:38:05

Kevin
Thanks for the laugh, sendikslover. Actually, I do the grocery shopping in my house, and I patronize Sendik's weekly.

Anyone who thinks Sendik's "prices are usually significantly lower then (sic) Pick N' Save" has never shopped at Pick N' Save, or at least, never actually looked at the pricing difference, which exists for a plurality of SKUs. Sendik's business niche is high quality, which comes at a price. PnS is designed for high volume, and they get price breaks based on their size.

I'm not against Sendik's expansion. But I think it's far down the list of things that need to occur.

Sendik's is a cornerstone, no doubt, and if they came to the village and said they needed eminent domain used on the Masonic Lodge to stay in business, that request would and should be seriously considered. Until then, we're talking convenience over necessity. Silver Spring is in a necessity mode, improving and fixing what's broken first.
Posted at: 2007-12-01 13:37:15

wfbsendikslover
In regard to Kevin's post...

I doubt that Kevin ever shops at Sendik's. If he did he would know that their prices are usually significantly lower then Pick N' Save.

I know that many of my neighbors now shop at the Sendik's in Mequon, at least a part of the time, because the larger store offers more to choose from. Wouldn't it be a good thing, if allowing Sendik's to expand, would keep all those dollars right here in the Bay? On top of that Sendik's brings more customers to Silver Spring Drive than any other single business in the community by far.

Sendik's is the cornerstone of this business district. We as residents should do anything we can to help keep it that way.
Posted at: 2007-12-01 10:46:57

wfbdoglover
Thom says "and eliminate the unsightly clutter of cars jockeying for favorable parking spots."

Laughing.... That is so true and one reason I go late in the evening when most of those spots are available.

However, my parking at Sendiks is based on my dogs ability to see through the front door.
Posted at: 2007-11-30 17:39:01

Kevin
I'm going to respectfully disagree with the need for major Sendik's renovations. Sendik's is not a supermarket, and I think I'd resist the urge to make it one. Sendik's is a premium store with premium prices for high quality items. Countless people go to Sendik's weekly, but hit Pick N' Save for their "big" grocery shopping due to much lower prices. Whether Sendik's believes a multi-million dollar investment would pay off in the form of capturing more revenue is for their accountants to figure, notwithstanding the months they'd nearly be out of business due to construction with any sort of major reconfiguration. -- While a bigger Sendik's with more selection would mean you COULD shop there for all your groceries, they are a premium grocer, and their prices will remain premium. People would STILL go to Pick N Save for their bigger shopping runs.

I'm not sure I understand the evil of having parking lots visible from Silver Spring. Agreed, if over-done (think: Strip-mall) it is terrible. But with only two lots (Sendik's and Famous Footwear) .. I think those two are moderate, necessary, and honestly desirable. As mentioned, one of the 10 steps to revitalize retail is decent parking. Example: Take the Famous Footwear parking lot and put it, where, behind the building? Would anyone even find it there? Not to mention doing that would severely limit the depth of the building(s).

I'm sure everyone has their own wish list for Silver Spring .. for me, I'm not sure a bigger Sendik's helps out the Drive substantially. The gaping wound is the lack of restaurants and other retail and crumbling sidewalks and infrastructure. A Sendik's where you can't get a dozen varieties of your favorite ice cream is a hangnail. My 2 cents.
Posted at: 2007-11-30 13:59:38

Thom
Kevin:

I would like to address the expansion of Sendik's issue, and the associated parking issues. However, before doing so, a few words need to be said about the broader issue of parking along East Silver Spring Drive.

PARKING ALONG E. SILVER SPRING Dr.

For our business district to serve as a good walking/shopping district, it is essential that we work to eliminate the parking lots immediately adjacent to the street. While we're fortunate that most of the parking is behind the buildings, Sendik's and the former Famous Footwear store are notable exceptions.

As an illustration of what we shouldn't want to happen, consider Hampton Rd. at CVS and the stores on the south side of the road. We need to avoid the strip mall approach since it's conducive to a healthy shopping district. (Interestingly enough, the Bayshore Town Center folks obviously are aware of this, given that they have worked hard to create a town shopping district experience.)

The Village Board of Trustees should pass an ordinance or zoning restriction to ensure that any permits for new construction, or significant modifications to existing properties, eliminate any off-street parking areas on any property immediately adjacent to E. Silver Spring Dr.

THE EXPANSION OF SENDIK'S

That said, how should Sendik's expand? Ideally, they should expand to the south, eliminating the troublesome parking area that is currently in front of their building.

If their building was reconfigured such that the principal access was from the east, or perhaps the north, the south side of the building could become a real asset to both Sendik's and the Village.

Image if the deli was accessible from not only the store, but also from the street. They could add an exterior eating area, adjacent to the street, which would likely become a popular stop for lunches, etc.

They could also have separate street access to their flower shop, or perhaps their meat counter.

This would provide Silver Spring shoppers with an convenient walking district, and eliminate the unsightly clutter of cars jockeying for favorable parking spots.

SENDIK'S PARKING

So what should Sendik's do to replace the lost parking?

Obviously they need to provide a sufficient handicapped parking zone, as well as a convenient spot for the after-work crowd to park and make a quick run into the store to pick up dinner fix'ens.

I understand that they have had some discussions with the Masonic Lodge to the North,(please note that it is not a church, but rather a Freemason lodge), as well as the Village to abandon the alley way behind the building. Ideally, the main entrance to Sendik's for parkers should be to the north, in this freed up space.

TIME TO GET MOVING

It's been interesting to note all of the recent announcements from the Balistreri's about new stores. Hopefully they are not forgetting the need to upgrade their current Whitefish Bay store -- it needs it!

Thom
Posted at: 2007-11-30 12:00:47

wfbdoglover
The Fox Bay BUILDING is owned by New Land Developement: http://nledevelopment.com/ . From THEIR website there is a link to the Whitney Gould article about the unveiling of "The BAY" building plans. (link here: http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=441952 )

Quoting the 2nd paragraph: "Architect offers proposal. Residents don't like this, don't like that. Community leaders listen to loudest, crabbiest voices. Client loses nerve. Design gets dumbed down."

It's third from last paragraph ends with "But at its recent unveiling, the design drew brickbats and boos from residents, who complained that the look was out of character with the village and demanded something more traditional."

It ends with Whitney stating "Whitefish Bay clearly has the right to determine its own destiny. But fear of change is no strategy. Here, with one charismatic swoop, the village has a chance to embrace the 21st century with the optimism and verve that informed the original Fox Bay building. Go for it."
The article was written June 26, 2006. It is now November 29, 2007 and I don't think anyone has heard from New Land Development. Can't say I blame them, when reading a review like that.

So after getting booed and all the complaining - it isn't a wonder that this developer have moved their attention to other properties it owns.

All of these properties need to be developed by the property owners - not the Village. The street and sidewalks are the Village responsibilities, but if residents are booing ideas - Well, for being an "upstanding community", I'm shocked at this behaviour.

I CHALLENGE every resident who cares to write down business ideas and bring them to the 2nd meeting in January. Mine is The Egg Harbor Cafe. http://www.eggharborcafe.com/ I've gone as far as contacting them to come here. They were busy with 4 new restaurant openings this year - One being Lake Geneva.

Bring positive ideas and attitudes - you will live longer and so will Silver Spring.
Posted at: 2007-11-30 06:15:12

wfbdoglover
First I would like to address Sendik's expansion. It is desperately needed. Sendik's is landlocked and their only way to expand would be up. That is really expensive.

I would like to see eminent domain used at the church to give them that opportunity. The store is so small and compared to what is offered at their other stores, a bit limited.
Posted at: 2007-11-29 18:22:43