[Lincolnparkdc] Save Mott's Market Coalition: Updated FAQ

[mary ann]

Thanks for the information. My one perspective (as the owner of the
Cupboard  at 1504 at East Capitol) is these stores are difficult to manage,
dealing with DCRA, ABRA, payroll, inventory, finding good employees etc is
painful. We have had more than one employee who has been drinking on the
job, smoking
Pot, customers stealing etc.

And if you can’t sell wine/beer- making a profit will be difficult. That is
basically how we make $- plus our deli.

Just be prepared for all the nuances and maybe find a consultant to help
you out with the store logistics.

Mary Ann

On Wed, Apr 6, 2022 at 6:23 PM Eli Rosenfeld <rosenfeld.eli at gmail.com>
wrote:

> Also, please see attached if you haven’t seen the business plan yet.
>
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Apr 6, 2022, at 6:20 PM, Jordan LaCrosse <jordan.a.lacrosse at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> 
>
> Hi neighbors,
>
> Passing along a quick update from the Save Mott’s Market Coalition:
>
>
>
> In less than a week, the Save Mott’s Market (SMM) coalition has grown from
> a simple dream to a functioning coalition. With over 100 members ranging
> from current Capitol Hill residents to former neighbors that have since
> moved away, the group is committed to preserving a small bit of our
> community’s rich history.
>
> Growing so quickly, we recognize that there are some questions that might
> not have been answered yet. We hope this brief FAQ will allow for more
> transparency in the progress that has evolved over the last week.
>
>
>
> *I'm not familiar with the market, what does this market mean to the
> neighborhood?*
>
> For more than a century, Mott’s Market has served our community as a
> pantry, gathering place, and safe haven for neighbors of all ages and
> backgrounds. From being a favorite among kids for an after school snack, to
> being a critical resource during snow storms and pandemics, our corner
> market has watched generations of families grow up and has enriched our
> neighborhood's history. The corner market represents a way of life that is
> disappearing on Capitol Hill. We have lost many similar markets in the past
> decade and recognize that we can’t let this moment pass us by.
>
>
> *Who started this initiative and why?*
>
> The beginnings were organic but can be traced back to a few casual porch
> discussions among neighbors. After coming to the conclusion that multiple
> neighbors dreamed of saving the Market, we decided to try to make it a
> reality.
>
>
>
> *What is the goal of the Save Mott's Market Coalition?*
>
> Our goal is simple, to save the corner market. But what does that mean in
> tangible terms? The SMM coalition is banding together to purchase the
> property through a multi member LLC. Neighbors that are interested in
> investing to purchase the property together have been meeting every other
> night for the last week to walk through the nuts and bolts of how this
> agreement will work.
>
>
>
> *Wow, 100 members! Are they all investors?*
>
> Currently about 20 members have signed up to be investors at various
> dollar amounts. The rest of the members have been active in the
> communications effort.
>
>
>
> *How can I learn more about becoming an investor?*
>
> Meeting details have been sent out to folks that have registered on our
> website, SaveMottsMarket.com. We welcome interested parties to join us at
> our next virtual meeting on Thursday, April 8th at 8pm. You can also
> email SaveMottsMarket at gmail.com to set up a one-on-one meeting to learn
> more. We are also having a grassroots meeting tonight, April 7th at 8pm to
> discuss communications efforts such as lawn-signs and stakeholder outreach
> for those not interested in investing.
>
>
>
> *Who will run the market?*
>
> If successful in purchasing the property, the LLC will work to preserve
> the lower level of the property as a corner market by renting the space to
> a viable retailer that shares the community’s vision. The LLC does not
> intend to run the market.
>
>
>
> *What about the upstairs unit? Will that be turned into retail space?*
>
> No, the upstairs will remain a residential rental unit.
>
>
>
> *What will the market look like? Can I buy fancy cheese and toilet paper?*
>
> We have been approached by multiple neighbors and local businesses that
> have interest in running the market. But while it is fun to dream about
> what color awning the market might have or milk selection the market might
> offer, we must keep our eye on the prize: purchasing the property. The LLC
> terms are simple, the group must rent the lower half of the property to an
> entity that will maintain the space as a corner market. The benefit of
> having a multi member LLC made up of a group of neighbors is that any
> decision on what entity will be allowed to rent the space will need to be
> approved by the members rather than one individual.
>
>
>
> *I don’t have money to invest but I have a lot of thoughts about the
> market. Where can I share these thoughts?*
>
> We truly intend for this to be a “for the community, by the community”
> effort and welcome feedback from all neighbors. While we don’t intend to
> micromanage the market owners, whomever they end up being, we do intend to
> solicit feedback from the community in determining what sort of retail
> market we should choose to occupy the space. The goal is to select a
> retailer that can not only revitalize the space (perhaps add a coffee and
> prepared food section) but also maintain the simplicity of a corner market
> by continuing to sell basic sundries such as toilet paper and food
> essentials. Please feel free to submit any thoughts to
> SaveMottsMarket at gmail.com and stay tuned for a more formal comment form
> on our website if/when the purchase is successful.
>
>
>
> *Will the new store still sell beer and wine?*
>
> We hope so! But again, this is TBD.
>
>
>
> *If Mott's couldn't survive, what makes you think a new market would?*
>
> In addition to preserving the corner market, we also intend to revitalize
> the space and select a retailer that can expand the offerings. We intend to
> select a retailer that could provide some prepared food, coffee, and baked
> goods alongside the corner store staples. Our research indicates that this
> will allow for a higher profit-margin.
>
>
> *Have more questions?*
>
> There are many questions that simply don't have answers yet, but we will
> try to address questions as they pop up. We welcome you to submit questions
> to SaveMottsMarket at gmail.com and join us for our nightly virtual
> meetings. Don't be shy, all are welcome.
>
> --
> Kind regards,
>
> *Jordan Ashley LaCrosse*
> (239)272-4343
> jordan.a.lacrosse at gmail.com <jalacros at gmail.com>
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