Why a Trader Joe's on Division Street?

During the LaSalle II Magnet Elementary School Local School, 1148 N. Honore St., meeting W. Harris "Bill" Smith, Smithfield Properties, LLC, explained about replacing an agreed on use of 1811 to 1825 W. Division. 

Smith began by apologizing to Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno for not notifying him of Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises, Inc. pulling out of the original project.

He then explained that his involvement began when Richard Melman came to him saying that this piece of property, 1811-25 W. Division St., the former Miller Lumber site, was available and he wanted to put two restaurants there. With a 30-some-year business relationship between the two men, Smith moved forward with the purchase. 

That culminated in the rezoning of the property to B3-3 Type 1 for a 4-story mixed-use property which was to include 36 residential units, 36/7 parking spaces plus commercial space that was to include Melman restaurants. Internal politics within Lettuce Entertain You changed and so did plans for the restaurants on that site. Melman remains one of the 5 property owners. 

Around the same time as the restaurants pulling out, according to Smith, he learned that Trader Joe's was looking in the Wicker Park and Bucktown area. 

"I knew from previous work in the area that people west of the highway were starving for grocery stores. When I heard that Trader Joe's was looking for a location, I became excited about being able to bring a grocery store to the area. In my enthusiasm, I did not see many of the issues that Grant brought up." (Grant Durtchas, President of the Parent Teachers Organization (PTO) presented at the meeting before Smith.) 

What if?
What if Smith had read the 2009 Master Plan put out by SSA #33 in Wicker Park and Bucktown? Tens of thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer hours went into that plan which eerily predicted this situation. 

Specifically the Guide Development section on page 171 talks about the redevelopment of the Milwaukee Ave. and Leavitt St. intersection. It includes not only food but entertainment, which would make that section of Milwaukee more active and vibrant.

"Although the Aldi is active, the demographics around the store are changing, which indicates that it might sell and move on or transition to a Trader Joe’s, which has the same parent company as Aldi. In either case, the site should be discussed as an opportunity for increasing density, providing new uses that will activate this stretch of Milwaukee Avenue, and connecting to the Bloomingdale Trail." 

In the area is the other stretch on the other side of Milwaukee west of Leavitt that runs from Leavitt to the Bloomingdale tracks. It is owned by Smith. Monday he indicated that location would not work for Trader Joe's because it wasn't big enough and because of the grade change between Leavitt and the Bloomingdale. He also says that he has that rented to Northwestern Hospital as a clinic or diagnostic location. 

About Division Street, on page 176, it says,

"The stretch of Division Street that borders the south side of the SSA is one of the most unique business districts in the City and is dominated by locally-owned businesses. The extra wide sidewalks foster an atmosphere that creates a distinct feel and separates it from other retail districts in the SSA. The locally-owned businesses have created a citywide draw and bring in money from around the Chicago region. This unique atmosphere should be preserved and national chains should be encouraged to locate in other areas of the SSA where their presence would not be as disruptive as it would be on Division Street. There is also a healthy mixture of daytime and nighttime uses in this district. However, care must be given to ensure this is the case in the future as the temptation may be to add more nighttime uses in the form of bars and restaurants. Adding too many more nighttime uses may endanger this balance and place the traditional retailers in peril as the district loses its balance." 

About National Chains, on page 177, it says,

"As it has been stressed elsewhere, an eye must be kept on the proliferation of national chains in the SSA. While each individual outlet does little harm to the independent businesses  in Wicker Park Bucktown, large groups of them can cause damage to the business district as a whole in two main ways: 1) They damage the unique vibe because they look and feel like every suburban mall and hurt the power of these unique districts to draw consumers from around the City, and 2) The national chains pay a premium in rent, causing the prices for all retailers to rise. If too many national chains find a presence in the SSA’s retail market, many of the local retailers that were fundamental in the creation of these retail districts will no longer be able to afford to do business with such high overhead and will be forced to relocate to other, more affordable places in the City. The zoning discussion in recommendation 5.1 details important strategies that could help slow the growth of national chains in WPB, especially the larger national retailers. By advocating for a maximum size for retailers along major retail corridors in WPB of 7,500 square feet unless the retailer obtains a special use permit for a bigger floor plate…" 

For all those interested in what could be and what it would be good to NOT BE, reading the Master Plan  can be instructive and helpful. 

Knowing the past and understanding possibilities for the future are what gives each person the opportunity to take actions now that will drastically impact the future of the area.  And that is what impacts everyone's quality of life and $$$$$.