THE DOWNTOWN DEVELOPMENT Authority's recent increase in vendors' fees has drawn some heavy criticism. Last year the fee was $165 for the season. This year (23 Saturdays): $360. That's a hike of well over 100% all at once. Seems a little drastic. Well, here's the reasoning behind it. The DDA surveyed other farmers ... Continue Reading
NeuroTrainer Lives!
REMEMBER JEFF NYQUIST? He's the guy who opened NeuroTrainer, the "world's first brain gym" on West Washington Street, about five years ago. Super high tech stuff. Designed to help an athlete, or an older person, or anybody really, improve the brain's performance. Nyquist struggled for a few years here trying to gain ... Continue Reading
Farmers Market Changes, Big Bucks for Facades, a New Patisserie, the Ever-Shrinking Yellowbook, and a Facebook Firestorm
CHANGES UPCOMING AT Marquette's renowned Farmers Market. First--and this won't thrill most of the vendors--the season fee for a space at the summer market is more than doubling, from $165 to $360. That's a pretty steep hike. Some vendors had been hoping and expecting the increase to be gradually implemented over the ... Continue Reading
Mystery at the Old Arby’s Site, Tourism Bounce, and Hope for Lakeshore Boulevard
STILL NO ANSWERS on exactly what's going in at the old, abandoned Arby's site off the highway, near WJMN and Bigby's. It's clearly going to be a restaurant, with a large, new slab of concrete laid out front for a sitting and dining area. The Veridea Group owns the strip mall and the property. "We can't comment on it," ... Continue Reading
McDonalds Modernizes, Beer Co-op Prepares, and Neighborhood Lawsuit Ends
THESE HAVE BEEN dark days for McDonalds lovers. The fast food restaurant on West Washington has closed down for construction--although the drive-through remains open. So what's going on? Modernization, according to owner and operator Jim Wilson. When it's complete, Wilson says, "Guests will notice a modern look and ... Continue Reading