PAWN SHOP IN LAGRANGE? 'NO WAY' SAYS DOWNTOWN BUSINESS GROUP

Downtown La Grange business owners are up in arms over the proposed location of a pawn shop in the former Hollywood Video store on La Grange Road -- which has been vacant for more than a year.
Although ordinances currently permit such a use in the central business district, word has it the Village Board is planning on addressing the issue at an upcoming meeting by proposing to eliminate the existence of a pawn shop category in the village code.

But first, the Planning & Zoning Commission must hold a public hearing on the issue,. and that has already been scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Monday, June 29 at Village Hall.

Community Development Director Patrick Benjamin said the type of business the proposed All Star Jewelry & Loan is planning on opening at 71 S. La Grange Road in mid-July is among those uses -- so-called "used merchandise sales" -- that's permitted in the section of the village zoning code last updated in 1991 referring to businesses in the C-1 central business retail district.

Those uses being eyed by the commission, which may include title loan and payday loan stores as well, will be among the certain uses considered later this month. Whether the village's ultimate actions would result in barring the business from opening is "a legal question," he added. And village attorney Mark Burkland has not yet been reached for comment.

Plus, while the business -- which has promised lots of fine jewelry and brand new goods in boxes which were gifts customers did not care for -- has applied for a license, it still must seek building and certificate of occupancy permits, he said.

And while there are other current and former uses in the downtown, such as The Carousel Shop, Jackson Square Mall and zoe's that sell and have sold used , donated and/or consignment merchandise, the village has changed in the past couple decades and no longer would consider a pawn shop a desired use.

"He did his research and found that section of the code was left open," said Benjamin, "but we thought that probably our business owners would entertain (better) tenants."

The movement to fight the pawn shop is being led by La Grange Business Association President Michael LaPidus, who e-mailed a letter late Tuesday to all of the LGBA's member business and property owners and others urging them to get involved.

"We are in the middle of a pretty big fight ... for a whole barrage of reasons," said LaPidus. "A pawn shop brings in a different crowd of people who do their business and leave. These just aren't the right mix of people we want hanging out in our business district."

The owner of the retail space, which sits on land directly south of Village Hall and west of the new downtown parking deck -- John Brannen -- has only been successful in leasing out the former Via Bella space to Francesca's. All of the retail spaces in the adjoining La Grange Pointe senior housing complex also have remained vacant since it opened last summer.

And while a sign in the shop window between the restaurant and the proposed pawn shop space has been clearly marketing the middle store for a bakery, the only new bakery coming to town will be on Calendar Court instead.

LaPidus, who has already taken his case to the village and who intends on making it the main topic of the monthly LGBA meeting at 8 a.m. Thursday, June 11 at Palmer Place Restaurant & Bier Garten, said the owner of the space has indicated a willingness to release the pawn shop owner of his 1-year contract.

But while the owner could not immediately be reached for comment, LaPidus says the man "is not budging" and claims "La Grange is in need" of a pawn shop if for no other reason than to dispel misnomers about that line of business.

"He says he's worked at a pawn shop and he's going to open up a pawn shop," LaPidus related, adding the man claims La Grange will be impressed with his many jewelry display cases. Brannen, who owns other downtown properties, also has plans to rent the middle shop to a mattress store, said LaPidus.

He said this is not a matter of La Grange being too good for such a business, but that it has been very selective of the kinds of shops the downtown area has attracted over the past 10 to 15 years and wants to keep improving on that record.

"We're not elitist ... but the mere definition of (the term) pawn shop suggests a place where destitute, desperate people go to cash in their belongings for money," he said. "That kind of thing has a very negative revolt on property taxes and when other new businesses who may want to move into town see we have a pawn shop might be turned away."

In his letter to the LGBA, LaPidus refers this to one of a "few defining moments" in the history of the business community "worthy of a vigorous fight" from the organization and community.

"Over my dead body will this happen," said LaPidus, who also owns Roly Poly Sandwiches just north of the La Grange Theatre. "I will make sure we don't start reversing all the good we've done down here."

Rumors about the new business quickly made rounds around the community ever since it was first revealed by someone on Pet Parade weekend a little over a week ago.

The letter specifically addresses the LGBA's resolve.

"We have been extremely fortunate in the past to have building owners be diligent about what tenants they rent to and commit their leasing practices to the spirit of what has made La Grange's business district extremely successful;" he wrote, "the right mix of unique, practical, eclectic and exciting businesses that fit our community and compliment our existing shops and restaurants."

LaPidus said he hopes the Village Board actions on this matter -- not expected for another month or so -- "will basically put (the shop owner) on notice he won't be able to open his doors."

Brannen could not be reached for comment, nor could Mayor Liz Asperger. A call to Village Manager Robert Pilipiszyn was answered by Benjamin.

About the only times in recent history village officials actively spoke out about a business' actions it considered of a negative nature were a failed move by the downtown cigar shop to allow its patrons to sit on leather chairs outside the front door to smoke cigars and attempts by a former ice cream parlor on Catherine Avenue near the tracks to allow its customers to dance along to swing music on select nights -- which at the time was in violation of village code.

Interestingly enough, neighboring Countryside has long banned strictly used car dealerships from operating in city limits, but just last week granted the former Continental Chrysler Jeep new car dealership a conditional OK to operate beyond its forced June 9 corporate shutdown date. Now, the business is trying for a business license and zoning change to stay open as the Continental Auto Center selling used cars, and parts and service to Chrysler owners.

The closest pawn shop to La Grange is two towns east on Ogden in Lyons, Classic Jewelers & Pawn Brokers, a longtime staple in the town's eccentrically diverse business district that includes such variety as a concrete products plant, a 24-hour diner, a mosquito abatement headquarters, a video poker distributor, a motel, taverns and liquor stores, auto and lawnmower repair shops, single-room-occupancy buildings. a palm and Tarot card reader between a church and a coin laundry, gas stations, tan spas and a new shop that sells caskets direct from the manufacturer.

Watch this space for more updates in the coming days.