| Author | Message | ||
     anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 1577 Registered: 6-2002 |
Sbenois: Where do you have your nails done? With reference to why Warren and Elliot did not rent to Starbucks, they have told people that Starbucks made excessive demands concerning renovation of the property. Apparently Starbucks' policy is to have the landlord set the place up for them in terms of wiring, plumbing, etc., so all they have to do is move in and begin brewing coffee. | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 12943 Registered: 10-2001  |
Home Depot. | ||
| Ignatius J Citizen Username: Ignatius_j Post Number: 359 Registered: 8-2003  |
And how did Tom Reingold end up getting interviewed for the article?!?! That guys is in everything Maplewood!!! | ||
| Lydia Citizen Username: Lydial Post Number: 833 Registered: 5-2001 |
The problem with the nail salon locating on prime corner property raises a lot of issues about who is running things in the village. For one, we could probably benefit from a full-time village manager. We also probably have to re-visit some zoning restrictions. Maybe businesses like nail salons are detrimental to the other businesses and should be not on the Avenue, or at least not on first-floor property. Not ALL nail salons work under the table, but a lot do. If they only take cash, that's your first red flag. I heard that the landlord for Cornercopia offered the owner of Kim's Nails the option of paying $2,000 a month to them to keep the new nail place out - it gets pretty ugly all around. Kim's Nails declined the offer - and good for them to not play that game. | ||
| anon Citizen Username: Anon Post Number: 1578 Registered: 6-2002 |
Lydia: Where did you hear that? It is a pretty vicious rumour. | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 4952 Registered: 4-1998  |
Restaurants are cash cows, too. Let the marketplace decide. Small businesses labor under enough regulation and taxation as it is. Also, for a full time manager, that would only serve to increase prices, as businesses pass along costs to consumers. If the manager's salary is passed along to building owners, then it would increase rents, which would increase prices, etc. | ||
| Bobkat Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 7171 Registered: 5-2001 |
Zoning might be the way to go. I don't know how you zone out nail salons, but it might be worth a try. I think it is a valid role for government to encourage a business mix in their business zones. Rent controls never work. Look at NYC and SA for that matter. | ||
| Lydia Citizen Username: Lydial Post Number: 834 Registered: 5-2001 |
Bobkat, plenty of towns have restrictions on places like nail salons. Anon, I heard the rumor from 2 business owners, both are people on the Maplewood Village Alliance. Maybe it's just a rumor, I suppose it's not kosher to pass on second-hand news, but I thought that at least one of the sources is about as credible as they come. I heard that Starbucks did an extensive survey of income, walking traffic, driving traffic, projected earnings, blah, blah, blah. It would be great if Maplewood could use those stats to invite new businesses to town. One reason I think we could use a full-time business manager for the town is that most small store owners are busy with running their stores, a downtown needs a cohesive "look" and plan and a lively mix of businesses to thrive. Dave - I was thinking that the salary of a business manager be paid for by the town and (gulp) taxes. If the downtown is bustling everyone benefits. | ||
| Mustt_mustt Citizen Username: Mustt_mustt Post Number: 192 Registered: 8-2003 |
I think we need another realtor in town to keep the balance going. I don't want the nail salons to be outnumbered by those realtors with their silly talking windows.... | ||
| Czele Citizen Username: Czele Post Number: 48 Registered: 9-2002 |
Can anyone post a link to this? | ||
| Marvin Gardens Citizen Username: Marvin_gardens Post Number: 161 Registered: 11-2003  |
I'm waiting for the Tarot Card/Palm Reading store front to open up. That's when we'll know we've hit the big time | ||
| Bobkat Supporter Username: Bobk Post Number: 7172 Registered: 5-2001 |
Marvin, yah gotta go to Springfield Avenue for that. There is a palm reader there.  I haven't read the new economic development report, but I wonder if it touches on zoning and especially in the downtown area. I think zoning changes should be looked into by the TC and Planning Board if at all possible. OK, enough for being serious. Can you imagine the outcry if Starbucks opened on Maplewood area. There would be a bigger protest than the one for the new nail joint. NO CHAIN STORES | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 2309 Registered: 5-2001  |
I just received the following PL from Fred Profeta (sorry for the breach, Mr. Mayor, but your views interest us all, and your question requires more expertise on the subject than I personally have.): "Soda: I just read your last post on this thread. I am considering various strategies to deal with the retail/service imbalance in the Village and the existence of high rents. You mentioned the possiblity of rent control. Do you have knowledge of this being implemented in the commercial arena? Do you know of any legal issues that might be involved? I am interested in looking into this. Fred Profeta" Can anyone weigh in here? -s. BTW: Fred, how were you quoted in the article, which I have not seen yet? | ||
| mtierney Citizen Username: Mtierney Post Number: 723 Registered: 3-2001 |
From some of the unsubstantiated rumors I've heard, the INS might be interested. Is it a fact that an owner of a nail shop may "invite family" to the US to help him run the business? The offer of a job is all it takes? Who follows up on how long, of if, the relative works? Could a nail salon be a front of some sort? Paranoia here I come.  | ||
| viva Citizen Username: Viva Post Number: 608 Registered: 5-2001 |
in the past, i have been asked to make out my checks to cash at Kims. | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 4955 Registered: 4-1998 |
Yes, we must put a stop to these hard-working Asians filtering into our communities with their amazing work ethic and fine cuisines. yeesh | ||
| mtierney Citizen Username: Mtierney Post Number: 725 Registered: 3-2001 |
If they are breaking the law - you betcha! | ||
| Dave Moderator Username: Dave Post Number: 4956 Registered: 4-1998 |
Where's the evidence? Restaurants are cash businesses, too. Give them equal scrutiny. The word goes out there may be Asian owners opening a nail salon and all of a sudden we have calls for a boycott, call the IRS, smuggling rings, how can they possibly afford it, etc. Very disturbing, IMO. And apparently the only one trying to get shady payoffs is the CURRENT LANDLORD who many people are thanking and calling "great guys" and bemoaning how they'll be missed. What a wacky, upside-down world some live in. | ||
| sbenois Citizen Username: Sbenois Post Number: 12944 Registered: 10-2001 |
The issue here, at least for me, is not the ethnic origin of the owners. It's the fact that another nail salon is bad for the town. If the same folks opened up a great bakery or a Starbucks, I'd be thrilled. | ||
| Soda Supporter Username: Soda Post Number: 2310 Registered: 5-2001 |
But Dave, if the INS stops looking for undocumented Asians (with or without the nail wraps & Kung Pao Chicken), that'd only leave the Canadian and Mexican borders, thousands of container ships, the Florida Coast, and Brighton Beach for them to concentrate on. And would that be fair, I ask you... -s. BTW: I'm getting mighty suspicious of all these "anonymous" posters we've got here on MOL. Do we know really who the hell these people are, or where they're posting from? And what kind of work ethic do THEY have, Hmmm??? ...Oops. I'm one of 'em...  |
