LGBA LEADERSHIP CHANGES SEPT. 1

Downtown business owner Michael LaPidus spent his last day as president of the La Grange Business Association this past Monday.
Effective Sept. 1, he resigned after six years at the helm of the property and business owner's association, to spend more time getting prepared and running his new business, Q-BBQ, in place of his former Roly Poly Sandwiches franchise he closed last month at 70 S. La Grange Road.

He made his intentions known in a letter to all LGBA members Sept. 1, but only after meeting with his board last week, he said.

"It's bittersweet," he said. "I cannot believe I stayed as long as I did. I wanted to make sure the LGBA could move forward at a different level than it had in years past."

In his e-mailed letter also sent to OnLaGrange.com, LaPidus explained how there has been no other person whom he has relied on more heavily than the woman who will fill his shoes comfortably: Urban Sole proprietor and retail district neighbor Honor Lorenzini.

"Her vision, detailed execution and positive attitude are second to none," LaPidus wrote. They opened their respective businesses at roughly the same time some five years ago.

Lorenzini was unavailable for comment on her first day at the helm.

"Honor, she has a much different leadership style than I do," he said. "She is quiet in front of a microphone, but very forceful in doing things the right way."

He described himself as "very aggressive in trying to change things" and both straight-forward and upfront with colleagues, adding, "I don't back-door anything."

Cindy Lautner will continue as treasurer and filling the role of secretary and vice president will be Ryan Williamson, owner of Horizon Wealth Management on Calendar Court.

Williamson, he stated, "is the future of the LGBA" and is both talented and committed to La Grange.

"I see this new leadership as really going back to the basics with the organization," he said, noting it is tapped out with volunteers. He said it is time to "rethink" the way in which the LGBA is operated.

"We still have to maintain the high-level events we put on," he said, referring to such popular events as the annual Christmas Walk, the Ahhh! La Grange Carnival, the upcoming Halloween Walk and the summer art projects such as this year's Big Picture exhibit.

In addition to its role of advocacy for the business community like endorsing the proposal for the village to financially assist the La Grange Theater owners in a massive renovation project and lobbying against a recent pawn shop proposal, he said the LGBA under his leadership raised more than $90,000 for local charities.

Although some business owners quietly protested his stance against the pawn shop, questioning the fate of other small businesses others may find offensive in the future, he said that issue had nothing at all to do with his departure. He reiterated his leaving is solely to devote time to his new eatery, set to open in mid-September.

"The number one challenge for me stepping aside is the overwhelming experience of opening a new restaurant," he said. "I have to focus all of my time on that for now."

In his letter, he also outlined accomplishments over the years.

"We accomplished a working and expanded relationship with the village on various issues (such as) the discussion on restoring the La Grange Theatre, the new Library building, the YMCA land planning phases, the Park District expansion and many other community centered projects. These developments are critical to the success of our downtown and I am confident that the strength and value of our organization remains vibrant as we head into 2010."

LaPidus "extensively" attributed among the reasons for the success of downtown in recent years to the LGBA board and volunteers .

"We've taken a leadership role in changing some of the marketing initiatives ... and in starting new events n town" that helped raise awareness of La Grange's vibrancy. That work, he said, contrbuted greatly to the Chicago magazine's recent recognition of La Grange as having the "Best Downtown" in the metropolitan area.

"We've dealt with some pretty controversial issues when other people stayed quiet," he said.

The next public meeting of the LGBA is at 8 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, at Palmer Place.