It’s now, officially, laughable. Not because it’s funny, because it isn’t. Particularly to the business owners trying to make a living out there.
In the “You can’t make this stuff up” department, on Tuesday, TV6 News kicked off a three-part investigative series on the bill-paying woes at the Westwood Mall. After having the electricity shut off for nonpayment more than once recently, mall owner Mike Kohan of Kohan Retail Investment Group told reporter Grace Blair, “It was some discrepancy. Also, it was a miscommunication. So, nothing to worry about and it’s not going to happen again.”
Then, on Wednesday… the very next day after Kohan declared it was “not going to happen again,” it happened again. It was another dark opening at the mall.
And in Blair’s report, we also learned Kohan hasn’t been paying his taxes.
Enough already. This story joins the Redmen controversy as something I’m tired of writing about and you’re probably tired of reading about. If not, the three installments of the TV6 News investigation are available on their website.
Unsolicited Observations
The tone of today’s observations will call to mind a scene from Seinfeld which featured Jerry and Kramer, and went like this:
Kramer: They’re redoing the Cloud Club.
Jerry: Oh, that restaurant on top of the Chrysler Building? Yeah, that’s a good idea.
Kramer: Of course it is. It’s my idea. I conceived this whole project two years ago.
Jerry: Which part? The renovating the restaurant you don’t own part, or spending the 200 million you don’t have part?
That’s an appropriate preface to this edition of Unsolicited Observations…
The Wish List
A late addition to today’s list comes from the story above about the problems at the Westwood Mall. Here it is… Somebody needs to replace the Kohan Retail Investment Group as owners of that place, ASAP! What should be a centerpiece in the Marquette Township retail scene limps along with a ton of unrealized potential because the owner apparently doesn’t care. Somebody… do something!
The Villa Capri Boat Bar, shut down now since the pandemic, could be reopened, just as it was… red and retro. One thing we need is more places like the Boat Bar that can accommodate parties bigger than just you and your plus one. So put the sign back up, stock the bar, plug in the karaoke machine and bring back a classic bar not influenced by today’s bohemian décor. Bring back the Boat Bar!
Residential properties anywhere near the lakeshore represent some of our most valuable and desirable destinations. So why can’t a commercial property, like the closed Coco’s, be just as valuable? It is! It just needs to be opened up with a vibe that taps into the beach scene, which is pretty popular these days. There’s plenty of room there, and a patio ready to go. Even if it’s just for the summer… seems like it would work.
Similarly, the former Kildare Irish Pub still sits there, empty, while folks are flocking all about. That little patio right on the main drag couldn’t be in a better spot to take in all the downtown doings! And like other West Washington pubs, you could appeal to families during the day and change gears for the younger crowd after dark. There… I just gave you your business plan.
Empty Lots and Promises
Another vacancy that could benefit from an abundance of nearby traffic is the empty lot next to Blackrocks, seen above. The owner keeps telling me to hang on… it’s coming, something including mixed use/residential. But like so many other presumed projects we hear of, many of which I’ve written about, I’ve already been waiting too long. I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’m on a roll now. Remember, these are unsolicited observations. Nobody asked, but that’s never stopped me before.
I haven’t given up on Stucko’s resuming outdoor service… sometime. I’ve been told it’s a staffing issue, and I have to respect that. But dang. It looks empty out there without it. Unfortunately, I imagine the deeper we go into summer the less likely we’ll see it again this year.
The Landmark Inn developed a cute little area outdoor there, but I never see it being used anymore. Along with the hotel itself, it has a kind of big city feel, tucked in there with a nice leafy canopy. If only it had the clientele to match.
What else? Upfront? I’m afraid we’re going to have to get over that. It’s been dormant for way too long. The only thing left to do is the case study. Somebody should write that up and sell it to Northern’s School of Marketing. There you go… another business plan!
(If you’re really interested in Upfront & Company, segments of The Doug Garrison Show, which was taped there from October ’12 to October ’14, are still available on YouTube. Great venue, well-intentioned attempt at a TV show.)
One more… the former Sol Azteca above the busy Iron Bay Restaurant & Drinkery. I know we’ve heard of another restaurant going in there, but again… WHERE IS IT? Like every other well run outdoor space in town, that rooftop patio would be in constant demand. Time’s a wastin! It’s not gonna be warm forever.
I know some of our business owners have plans on the table and are just waiting for the costs of everything to ease up a little, but let me tell you something. Costs aren’t going to ease up. They might go up, but they’re not going to ease up. That would require someone to make less money. Who’s going first?
Anything Else?
Geez Doug. Are you happy with anything around here? Glad you asked. Yes, I am.
I’m really excited about what’s happening at our locally owned brew pubs. Both the Ore Dock and Blackrocks are going through dramatic expansions, while it looks like Drifa is killing it at their SoMa location.
The Nordic Honorable Distillery is giving people another good reason to hang downtown. Digs is finally making progress on their City Beach. The El Santo Tacos & Tequila restaurant will be open soon next to the Children’s Museum. And Jeffrey’s Restaurant is getting ready to reopen after being closed by a fire earlier this year.
The Zephyr Winebar + Cafe continues to ripen, particularly since the new owner, Sean Hartwig, took over last October. “Our menu will evolve with the seasons,” he says. Though they’re pausing the downstairs Cellar dinners while they also resolve staffing issues, that cozy area is available for seating whenever they’re open. And you can add Zephyr to the list… another great outdoor area! One of many.
There you go. Aren’t glad you didn’t ask?