Another Empty Box in Dearborn
So Circuit City, the second largest electronics retailer in the U.S., announced today it will begin liquidating its assets after failing to reach an agreement with its creditors and lenders.
This means Dearborn will be left with another vacant big box store. And given the economy, it will likely be a long while before we see the site at Ford Road and Mercury Drive occupied again. Nationally, the move will put 30,000 people out of work. At one point during its free fall, Circuit City fired thousands of veteran salespeople and replaced them with lower-paid and less-experienced workers, believing that sales wouldn’t suffer as a result. They did big time and the damage to the company’s reputation, let alone its revenue, was never undone.
The upside out of all of this is that perhaps with the demise of Circuit City, people might take some time to drive over and support one of Dearborn’s own, Adray Appliance, 20219 Carlysle. In our book, it remains the best photo and electronics store around. The staff is courteous and knowledgeable and many in the photo and electronics departments have been there for more than 20 years. That to us says a lot. Adray has also given a lot to Dearborn, supporting many of the little league baseball teams I played on when I was a kid, along with many hockey teams.
Trouble is Adray is off the main path and many Dearborn folks either don’t know about them or would rather go to a big box national chain to buy their products, saving maybe a few bucks in the process, if anything at all.
We can all complain about the lack of retail in our city and the lack of quaint shops locally owned but if we residents don’t even support our home grown stores – and there are many beyond Adray we can list here – what do you think the outcome will be here long term?
January 16th, 2009 at 6:07 pm
I think Adray has been there for at least 30 years and have always done a good business even though it is out of the way for some people. As you stated they supported various sport teams and I think many parents like myself remember that and go back even though it may cost you a few bucks more. I hate to say this but they do have free parking.
Long term – if the economy doesn’t start turning around soon I think we all know what will happen to these small stores that have been in the neighborhood for years, we will lose them.
January 16th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
Right on. I have left Dearborn but still will return to buy my camera stuff at Adrays. A bit more than online but the best camera store hands down in the area. They actually KNOW what they are talking about when you go to the camera counter.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:04 pm
I absolutely agree. Adray is exactly the kind of place we need more of in Dearborn, yet every time I pass their store the lot is empty. They considered moving to Allen Park along with many local retailers, but made a conscious choice to stay in Dearborn.
Their prices may be a few bucks more than Best Buy, but it’s a small price to pay for the personal, knowledgeable service Adray provides.
January 16th, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Anyone who lives in Dearborn knows where Adray’s is. We all knew where Adray Hockey Arena was, too.
If you don’t know where Adray’s is, you don’t get out much.
Personally, Circuit City never should have been built in Dearborn when we already sell appliances at Adray’s, at Sears, at Penney’s, etc. Unfortunate about Alma’s Hi Fi, too. I hear records are now the “in” thing. We had everything we needed here but for some reason, we need more crap.
January 16th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
I live about 4 blocks from Adray’s. Unfortunately they continue to undergo major revamps every few years to try to stay afloat. Without question it is clear that the cameras are what is keeping them alive.
I am told frequently the story of the time when my parents’ fridge died in the late afternoon when I was an infant and my mom needed to keep formula cold. My mom was in a panic, knowing she needed a refridgerator as quickly as possible. My parents selected a new fridge quickly at Adray’s only to find that the truck for the next day delivery was already loaded and it was past the time for Next Day Delivery to be possible. After learning of the situation, Mr. Adray himself drove to the warehouse and loaded the refridgerator on the truck to be the very first delivery the next morning. Needless to say, Adray’s is a treasure in my family.
We have to continue to make a conscious effort, particularly in these trying times, to give these businesses our patronage. Thanks Deep for remembering one of Dearborn’s finest businesses.
January 16th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
The timing of this is just to wierd. Just today I read an article by Linda Francis in one of my trade publications “Paint & Decorating Retailer. I photo copied the article thinking it would come in handy at some point. That point is NOW. Since I have no idea how to provide you with the link–here is what the article entitled “Socially Responsible Business: Supporting Your Community” said:
“BUY LOCAL.
According to research by The Institute for Local Self-Reliance, buying from local, independent businesses helps build strong communities in many ways.
*For example, local, independent business give more to local charities than national chains when in-kind support is factored into the total.
*Local business also ensure long-term economic stability by being more diverse, stable and committed to the community.
*Independent businesses also increase the flow of financial capital through a community. Studies of money turnover rates show that local businesses circulate money 3 1/2 times through the local economy versus only once for a big-box store. Put another way, for every $10 spent in a big-box store, only about $1 stays in town versus over $5 if spent in an independent business.
Local businesses also contribute to a sense of community character, create authentic local cultures and keep our communities unique instead of just another strip mall.”
Although this article was written from the stand-point of local businesses supporting other local businesses, I think that the points made in the article are something that we should all think very long and hard about.
January 17th, 2009 at 9:50 am
Believe what you want, but Adray did not make any ‘conscious decision’ to stay in Dearborn. Lowe’s had exclusive rights with Ford Land/ArchonGroup that would prohibit Adray from selling many models of appliances. That is what stopped Adray from moving to Fairlane not some lofty idea like ‘conscious decisions’. Matter of fact there were already plans for condo’s to be built on Adray’s property before they aborted Fairlane. It is city record.
Time sure does have a way of changing of some people’s memory.
January 17th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Either way, Adray, especially Michael Adray did a lot for sports teams and kids in Dearborn. The wonderful man worked 7 days per week and in the heydays of Adray he never lived the rich lifestyle he could have, instead choosing to help others with much of his money.
I spoke to his daughter Debbie Adray a few years ago and she said that they were closing a number of other stores in other cities due to business being so bad due to big box store competition. This is one other reason so many other wonderful mom and pop operations no longer exist and it’s a sad state.
January 17th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Yes, I agree, let’s support Dearborn businesses with our dollars whenever possible. But it takes a conscious effort, and it takes ignoring the constant advertising messages we are fed by big box shops with huge ad dollars to spend. Small businesses are fighting uphill and have smaller margin for error than large chains. And now, with the tight economy, small businesses are under more pressure than ever to offer even better service at a comparable price.
January 17th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
I often stop at the little party store on Grindley Park and have for years. I know that if I went 4 blocks north I could save money at Kroger’s but when I go into the ‘little store’ the people are all so friendly, asking how I am doing, how about the weather, your daughter was in the other day, boy is your grandson getting tall. It’s just the little things that keep you going back.
January 17th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Thank you for all the people who shop local businesses. It is very hard to stay in buseness today with all the big box stores and their deep discounting. I have owned Village Picture Framing and Art Gallery for 23 years but if things don’t pick up soon I will be closing. The landloads don’t care and will not work on lowering the rent through these hard time. So I work to pay the rent and try and keep my head above water. If every one works together we will make it through this hard economic time. Thanks to the local shoppers. T. Clark
January 17th, 2009 at 7:46 pm
Adray’s is and always be our families store of choice, because of the founder. I wish more people would remember what he did for the kids in Dearborn, and return the favor.
January 18th, 2009 at 10:43 am
Mr. Clark,
I am sorry to learn of your current situation but I am not surprised to also learn of how your property owner Mr. Fakhoury, holds you as a tenant with such little regard. With 23 years of being a business owner in Dearborn, or for that matter, in any city or town, it seems to me that a landlord would be willing to make temporary adjustments during these economic conditions to retain such a diverse business from his many entertainment-based holdings.
Does not this property owner, Mr. Fakhoury, repeatedly request for ‘flexibility’ and ‘exemptions’ from the City Council and Mayor?
His record says he does and along with being accommodated on numerous occasions with the exception of Mr. Fakhoury’s August 2008 publically calling for the termination of David J. Norwood, Director of the Building & Safety Department and Barry Murray, Director of Economic and Community Development for the City of Dearborn.
This truly is an interesting development that again I believe should not be overlooked by Dearborn residents, surrounding businesses or consumers in Dearborn’s West End.
This also raises many questions for me.
If you should be forced to close Village Picture Framing and Art Gallery after serving Dearborn for 23 years, will you remain on the Board of the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority?
Should Mr. Fakhoury remain on the Board of the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority with many of his properties being tax delinquent and or uninsured?
What is the lease agreement rate of LuLu by Design in comparison to longtime Village Picture Framing and Art Gallery? Is there a discrepancy worth noting?
This all appears odd that with you and Mr. Fakhoury both being Board Members of the West Dearborn Downtown Development Authority that some kind of amicable financial solution is not considered for a 23-year small business owner in Dearborn. I also do not see where Mr. Fakhoury is or ever has been interested in being a community team player since his quest of creating his envisioned West End Dearborn. Now with what I read being described by you, to this day I don’t see an equitable level playing field in Dearborn’s West End Business District.
Perhaps now, some may grasp why I personally do as little business as possibly with any of the businesses in Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury’s possessions.
I wish you well Mr. Clark.
Hakim Fakhoury:
Dearborn Village Partners, LLC
Dearborn Village Shoppes, LLC
Fakhoury Ventures, LLC
Future Fuels of Dearborn, LLC
Future Fuels of Dearborn HGTS, LLC
Future Fuels of Dearborn Holdings, LLC
Horizon Real Estate Group Inc.
H & R Investment Group Inc.
Southgate Holdings, LLC
Village General Store, LLC
Village Holdings, LLC
Rami Fakhoury:
Horizon Capital, LLC
Horizon Holdings, LLC
Horizon Universal, LLC
ALL Registered Offices at this address: 2821 Fort St, Wyandotte, MI 48192
William White, WDDDA Chairman
Budget Committee Chairman
Ex-Officio Member of all Committees
Chairman and President, Dearborn Federal Savings Bank
Mark Anusbigian, WDDDA Vice Chairman
Streetscape Committee Chairman
Owner, Westborn Fruit Market
Karen Nigosian, WDDDA Secretary/Treasurer
Marketing & Promotion Committee
Owner, Nigosian’s Oriental Rug Company
John B. O’Reilly, Jr.
Mayor, City of Dearborn
> Chad Apap – Fakhoury tenant
Manager, Buffalo Wild Wings
Tom Clark
Budget Committee
Streetscape Committee
Marketing & Promotion Committee
Owner, Village Picture Framing & Art Gallery
> Hakim Fakhoury
Marketing and Promotion Committee
Owner, Fakhoury Ventures, LLC
Mark Guido
Mayor’s Chief of Staff
> Rob Marano – Fakhoury tenant
Manager, Cheli’s Chili Bar
Frank Monaghan
Marketing & Promotion Committee Chairman
Streetscape Committee
Budget Committee
Vice President, MJM Group
> Joe Sheena – Fakhoury tenant
Owner, Pizzapapalis/Rio Wraps
http://www.dearbornwestonline.com/about/wddda-board
January 18th, 2009 at 10:52 am
Well put Jamal. What wonderful Michael Adray did for this city and especially the kids in this city is something we all should be proud of and his family should be proud of. He was a great, wonderful man and benefactor to this city. I keep going back to the fact that he lived his life modest, he could have lived in Farmington Hills, Grosse Pointe, the Bloomfields, but he chose to stay in the city he loved and help the people in the city he loved. One cannot ask for more than that and may he RIP and let’s all continue to support Adray.
January 18th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
I think all was said about Hakim Fakoury, in the above comments. Something should be said, about Mayor O’Reilly for bending over for Hakim in the past.
January 19th, 2009 at 7:42 pm
Rami,
If we’re going to place blame, it can’t all be put on the mayor. The council had plenty to do with this as well. Even though BK was a preferred developer and Fakhoury was not, Fakhoury also had contracts with the city for 2 lots concerning monthly payments and in some other areas as well that he has not lived up to. The council are the ones that said nothing in a recent meeting about suing Fahoury but they had plenty to say about suing BK.
So let’s place the blame on everyone involved in it, not just the mayor.
January 20th, 2009 at 6:34 am
Barnaby Jones,
The Mayor is no exception. He was on City Council for 17 years prior to being Mayor. In regards to Fakhoury and O’Reilly, he’s clearly had now two years in the capacity of Mayor in dealing with Mr. Fakhoury and this matter should’ve been more transparent.
So, as you say, ‘let’s place the blame on everyone involved in it’.
January 20th, 2009 at 11:16 am
So we also add the blame to the Citizens of Dearborn Whom voted for user paid parking, as Mr. Fakoury needed to do these developements. I wonder what would have happened to these developements if the vote would have went the other way?
January 20th, 2009 at 1:06 pm
I was living in California when all this user-paid parking transpired. Can you please elaborate more on the details Pat or anyone? You say the voters approved it, but did the business owners also have a separate vote on it and if so, did they approve it also?
I also wonder now with Burton-Katzman being sued for millions they were supposed to recoup for the city on these lots, garages and with new buildings, what other options others think the city might have to resolve these parking issues down there.
January 20th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
Blame Dearborn residents? I think not. It is not the residential property owners’ responsibility with absorbing the business communities operating costs.
Could we not also add blame to Council Thomas and Tony Fera for creating dissention and delays with implementing user-paid parking during a much better economy?
Could we not also add blame to Council Thomas and Tony Fera when they brought forth by ballot proposal banning the user-paid parking system to all residents in the City of Dearborn?
Could we not also add blame to Council Thomas and Tony Fera for now making the user-paid parking system law even with the animosity they created for the user-paid parking system?
Should blame also be added to the businesses that chose a user-paid parking system over a SAD?
Should blame also be added to the many businesses that when they had ability to validate customer parking, they made a conscious decision with opting not to?
Could we not also add blame to Dearborn’s business clientele that is either obstinate or out of touch with other successful communities that utilize a user-paid parking system for aiding development and growth?
Should blame also be added to any businesses that may not be worthy of a fifty cents per hour expense associated with a user-paid parking system?
As for Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury’s property possessions, in good times or with the economic conditions we are experiencing now, planning instead of just buying every square inch of Michigan Avenue and Monroe St should have been the priority. There are no signs of building on any successes by Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury, just purchasing property and proposals without retained capitol for follow through on the numerous years of proposals.
Property rich and cash poor has always been a match for failure. Now with these economic times that we are all going through, Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury have met their match.
January 20th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
Hello all,
I have not written here for a while, and it’s nice to see some debate going on. Nice new site, Said… the new look is better.
Also, I have worked with Hakim for some time now, and I was privy to the last round of lease negotiations that went on with Village Frame & Tom Clark. And while I know Hakim would not respond to this kind of thing, I feel compelled to because Mr. Clark is being disingenuous.
When the lease expired for Village Frame a few years ago, negotiations were had and Mr. Clark’s rent did not go up, as it was supposed to. And after months of back and forth, Hakim agreed to let Mr. Clark have a lower rental rate than was required by the extension terms of the lease. He allowed Mr. Clark to keep the rent as low as he could, while signing a long-term lease, which Mr. Clark wanted because he was shopping around his business (a business with a valid lease in effect is easier to sell). Things have not gone as Mr. Clark wanted, so now he is complaining… but it is disingenuous to say Hakim was not willing to work with him, because he has in the past.
Maybe struggling local business owners should get more creative in pulling in customers, because customers are there. There are businesses in Downtown West Dearborn that are consistently full. Maybe they could extend their hours, come up with creative campaigns, etc. But to simply lay blame at the feet of Hakim is neither fair, nor true to the facts, nor the way business is conducted. If you’re leasing a car for a period of time, with the same payment each month, and suddenly you can’t make payments for some time, the finance company takes your car. You don’t just get to renegotiate everything to fit your needs. Well, the same goes for a commercial lease. Hakim cannot simply go the bank that holds the note on the building and renegotiate every lease when a tenant is in a little trouble. It simply does not work like that.
As far as Hakim and the mayor… I know Hakim will put anything aside and work with Mr. O’Reilly for the good of the city. Anyone who believes different is plainly wrong
January 20th, 2009 at 5:24 pm
And on another note, why do we have to attack those who are sincerely trying to work to better the city? We can work together, but anonymous attacks by LX don’t help…
If you disagree with business practices, or philosophies, or visions, fine. Voice those disagreements. Go to a meeting and let the council or developers hear your concerns.
But attacking because they’re of a particular background, or attempting to “blacklist” people who are Hakim’s tenants is just vile. And at least get it right, LX… Cheli’s is NOT Hakim’s tenant. Chelios owns that building as far as I know.
Do you think Hakim bought all these buildings for his health? or as a hobby? or because he just has money to throw around? It is done as a business move intended to produce return on investment… and having a vibrant, healthy downtown helps to achieve that goal for him. To insinuate anything else is just silly.
It seems that most people who post on this site have good intentions for downtown West Dearborn. I can assure you that Hakim does a well. Painting him as some money-grubbing slum lord is not only false, it is also counter-productive to the development of the city.
January 21st, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Mr. Zarh,
Thanks for bringing my attention to the errant listing of Cheli’s Chili Bar as a Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury tenant. That designation is not accurate and should have been placed with Village Picture Framing & Art Gallery. This is now corrected and Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury’s complete property portfolio of record will follow. Thanks again.
I welcome you back to the blogosphere again and really find this interesting with what you have written on behalf of Mr. Hakim Fakhoury in respect to Mr. Clark and Village Picture Framing & Art Gallery. Thanks for bringing more light to this subject and frankly, I am disappointed that I haven’t witnessed any response from the questions that I raised on January 18. But then again, I don’t see where you have addressed these questions either other than add to the speaking on the behalf of Mr. Hakim Fakhoury, the he said/he said topic of Village Picture Framing & Art Gallery and Mr. Fakhoury. This really is nobody’s business anyways and is a private matter that should not be aired in public.
If you find time to read what I wrote just yesterday at 1:24pm, you should be able to see that I have raised some if not many questions that do in fact directly relate to what you suggest as a problem with local businesses with quote,
“Maybe struggling local business owners should get more creative in pulling in customers, because customers are there. There are businesses in Downtown West Dearborn that are consistently full. Maybe they could extend their hours, come up with creative campaigns, etc.”
I believe what you wrote has merit and definitely has truth to it. This would apply to any business in any city or town anywhere in America either during a prosperous or in now, a more languishing economy. I would also believe when reading what I wrote yesterday, you can clearly see that I have growing by the day animosity towards those in Dearborn be it businesses, residents, elected and/or appointed Officials that continue rally around the excuse of the West End Business Districts User-paid Parking System for all that ills the West End. There is no glaring disparity along Michigan Avenue with Dearborn’s West End apathy and the visible apathy in the East End even with so-called “free parking”. It would be absurd to believe otherwise especially when looking from City Hall at the gift to the taxpayer REDICO boondoggle.
So let’s for a moment discus the user-paid parking issue as it’s still a thorn in side for many that write on here. You stated that this has little impact for some businesses. Would you mind identifying which businesses that you are referring? My assumption would be that they are businesses that holds relevant with their clientele or made an attempt with making the system work. Again, Mr. Zarh, this leads you and I back to the issue you raised of “creativity”. Frankly, Mr. Zarh, I don’t see much creativity by anyone involved in the West End Business District. This means the property owners/landlords, the development authority, the chamber of commerce, the bar and business associations, the city government committees, departments and elected Officials.
Clearly not all associated in the above are bad apples but there are enough that are not creative that in any city or town would create an uphill battle. To this day, I still find it difficult to fathom that for Dearborn, a city in size comparison that of Ann Arbor, still maintains obstinacy with associated costs for development from a measly 50 cents an hour to park a car. Moreover, in fairness to you Mr. Zarh and in fairness with respect to Mr. Fakhoury, until this retrograde mentality is defused in Dearborn, I suspect that any progress and or further development will remain at a halt.
It has been now 4 years that Council Thomas and Tony Fera created this dissention among Dearborn residents and businesses that led to a ballot proposal banning user-paid parking that was defeated by a 2:1 vote margin. To this day Council Thomas still promotes this dissention in Dearborn when he selectively attends Council Meetings. No better case can be made as evidence than when Council Thomas blessed Dearborn constituents with his self-aggrandizing performance at the end of last year when playing to the chamber of commerce president lead. Again, this promoted perception in Dearborn is not a substantiated reality of business vitality in the user-paid parking system and certainly is debunked when looking at the surrounding property vacancy’s that are not in the system.
Mr. Zarh, I’d like to ask if it is acceptable with you in putting past differences and rather combative arguments on here aside. If so, then there are some questions that I have for you that perhaps you could provide some answers to and if not, so be it, let them go unanswered.
The question I have for you or rather Mr. Fakhoury seeing that you feel free in speaking for him is that you mentioned quote,
“Maybe struggling local business owners should get more creative in pulling in customers, because customers are there.”
Well, if this applies to the business owners that are tenants, exactly what is creatively going on with the developer side or, Mr. Fakhoury’s side of this equation?
I do agree with you at this point in time I’d like to focus a narrative along this line.
Oh, and just for fun, I would like to answer your questions:
Do you think Hakim bought all these buildings for his health? Nope.
or as a hobby? Nope.
or because he just has money to throw around? Obviously not…
Hakim and Rami Fakhoury property on the Wayne County “Forfeited Property List With Interested Parties” site with properties forfeited to the Wayne County Treasurer on March 1, 2008, and/or on March 1 of a prior year, for failure to pay delinquent taxes, interest, penalties, and fees, be foreclosed in favor of the Wayne County Treasurer. The list is as of the last week of October 2008
Parcel(s):
32092230401100 – 22001 MICHIGAN
N 165 FT OF LOT 1 PLAN OF DEARBORNVILLE (WEST SIDE) L11 P203 WCR
DEARBORN VILLAGE SHOPPES LLC – HAKIM FAKHOURY
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/dt_llc.asp?id_nbr=B5305P&name_entity=DEARBORN%20VILLAGE%20SHOPPES,%20LLC
32092230401100 – 22001 MICHIGAN
N 165 FT OF LOT 1 PLAN OF DEARBORNVILLE (WEST SIDE) L11 P203 WCR
DEARBORN VILLAGE PROPERTIES
WARREN BANK
HORIZON CAPITAL LLC – RAMI FAKHOURY
32092210900800 – 22022 MICHIGAN
LOT 17 DETROIT ARSENAL GROUNDS DEARBORN, L BPP P 90 WCR
HORIZON REAL ESTATE GROUP – HAKIM FAKHOURY >AUTOMATIC DISSOLUTION, 7-15-2005DISSOLVEDACTIVE, BUT NOT IN GOOD STANDING AS OF 2-15-2005ACTIVE, BUT NOT IN GOOD STANDING AS OF 2-15-2006<
http://www.dleg.state.mi.us/bcs_corp/dt_llc.asp?id_nbr=B7055G&name_entity=SOUTHGATE%20HOLDINGS%20LLC
WARREN BANK
HORIZON CAPITAL LLC – RAMI FAKHOURY
January 21st, 2009 at 1:31 pm
Darn it. I apologize for the repeated inverse of the last two letters in your last name.
I meant Mr. Zahr not my typos.
January 21st, 2009 at 2:55 pm
LX, am I wrong – didn’t you ask about the lease agreement rate of LuLu by Design in comparison to long time Village Framing? Then wanted to know if a discrepancy was worth noting. Then when Amer says something about the agreement you tell him its nobody’s business and is a private matter.
On the positive side Buffalo Wings sales climbed 9% over 2007 so at least someone is doing business and making money, paid parking or not.
January 21st, 2009 at 3:33 pm
Donna,
You are not wrong. I did ask those questions of Mr. Clark. I also have witnessed no response to those questions raised three days ago, not that there is an expiration date involved with this.
In addition, I really didn’t tell Mr. Zahr anything of the sort. If anything, I may be in agreement with Mr. Zahr that this whole matter should not have been aired publically in the first place.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:03 pm
Whatever the facts are, it is a shame that we might be losing a business like Village Art and Frame. I know Tom and he is a good, hard working man that has been around for a long time. I’ve also met Amer and Hakim and despite what some say about them I thought they were both nice gentleman and Hakim did answer all our questions as further explained below.
Fakhoury was gracious enough to meet with a number of us at the Post Bar and Grill a few months back and we did invite all on this site to attend, but probably only about 7 or 8 attended. Fakhoury did state that the economy was having a very negative impact on his businesses, that when buildings were built the loan agreements with banks stipulated a certain dollar per square foot and the banks would not let him go below that per the loan agreements, so therefore many sit empty. These buildings and loans were arranged when times were good and were completed around the time the economy went into the toilet. Since then times are even worse.
I am not read any contracts but it seems to me that it is insane that Fakhoury would intentionally leave his buildings empty when he has so much to lose that way and he has so much to gain by having them occupied. I felt that he was a serious business man doing the best he could in dire circumstances and an economy that is so bad it is only 2nd to the Great Depression. Despite the fact that I have no issue with paying 50 cents an hour for user-paid parking that business owners,, builders and residents who voted for the paid parking approved earlier, many of these same people now tell me they have plenty of proof that it has negatively impacted their businesses, including Fakhoury’s businesses. We all make mistakes and perhaps many did voting to approve the user paid parking.
With no offense intended towards city council or any other Dearborn politican, if you read the comments I posted under the site at Military and Cherry Hill and how hard it is to deal with Building and Safety, then perhaps this may be another issue all builders and business owners are dealing with in DTWD. We had the same issue when all those businesses moved to Allen Park instead of Dearborn.
Lastly, although it is a pipe dream, I just wish all of us would work together on coming up with some ideas to help anyone and everyone that is invested in DTWD or anywhere in Dearborn for that matter. Whether it be Tom, Fakhoury or whomever. Nothing is resolved by us fighting each other or accusing each other even more so because we only know one side of the story, we don’t know all the other sides. I’m sure I”ll get reamed on this, but that is the way I feel.
January 21st, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Let me also state that while I think everyone is entitled to their own opinions and can choose where or where not to shop, I will continue to do my best to shop in every Dearborn business possible, especially DTWD, no matter who the landlord or builder might be. I feel this way because we have already lost too many fine busineses down there like Little Cafe and more, and even if one has a grievance with a landlord or builder, the business leasing the business becomes an innocent victim if we don’t patronize them.
If we want to really help our DTWD and we really want to see more stay and new ones come in, the only way that will happen is to patronize every business possible down there. I patronized the Little Cafe which had among the best food and prices around and yet it still is gone. Many came into Pat at his closing and said they were sorry to see him go. My question is, where were many of those people when he needed them for customers? This about this for a moment.
I”ve patronized Campbell’s Paints and have been able to meet the owners Mary and Mike and they’re nice, hardworking people who have been in the same location for ages. They carry the best paint around and our home inside is proof of that. I patronize Tom Clark at Village Frame and Art Gallery and know him as well and find his work to be outstanding and he is very reasonable. It would be a shame to see either of these wonderful business, both of who are Dearborn residents as well, go out of business or any others for that matter.
This may sound crazy, but when family is about to order food from a restaurant delivered, I insist we order it from a Dearborn restaurant 1st. When my sister bought a Chrysler and my dad bought an Old’s when Ford did so much for our lives growing up in Dearborn, they got a piece of my mind. To this day I still drive Fords not only because they make quality cars I love, but because Ford did plenty for many of us who reside in Dearborn and they were and still are a great corporate citizen.
Yeah, I know, I’m on a roll, so I’ll leave it there…
January 21st, 2009 at 6:17 pm
Dear Mr. Amer Zahr Were in my post did I mention who my landlord was. I never mentioned his or her name. Only you told who this person is. And Why are you so knowledgeable about my lease is there no privacy in this business district, or between tenant and landlord.
T. Clark
January 22nd, 2009 at 11:02 am
Oops, it appears Mr. Zahr may have overstepped his bounds. Uh-oh.
January 22nd, 2009 at 7:26 pm
It appears that LX was the one that 1st let the cat out of the bag about who your landlord was Tom. But that doesn’t excuse Amer for revealing info that should have been kept between you and your landlord.
We want to see you stay in business. If you have to move somewhere else the do so, but stick around in town because you’re the best of the best at what you do.
A Fan
January 23rd, 2009 at 11:49 am
Louie D,
I apologies if this is newly discovered information for you on here concerning Mr. Fakhoury being Mr. Clark’s property owner/landlord. However, this knowledge is not new here on deepSaidwhat.com as this was rather a tired subject on this blog from last year that, in fact, Mr. Clark had also participated in conversation here himself.
I do wish Mr. Clark well with his established 23-year business that is suffering along with many in Dearborn. I do believe I expressed this here before.
With respect to your observed breech of business etiquette by Mr. Zahr’s writings speaking for Mr. Fakhoury, I am in agreement that this is rather unnecessary, but should serve as example for others that are now or may be future tenants of Mr. Hakim and Rami Fakhoury with what is possible in being ‘dirty laundry’ for display in Dearborn.
It still appears today as in the past here on deepSaidwhat.com that Mr. Zahr prefers status with being the exception to the rule. And as I’ve written extensively in the past on here in exchange with Mr. Zahr, this now privacy matter between a tenant and actual property owner just adds to the many exceptions that are deemed as some sort of entitlement that excludes others.
January 23rd, 2009 at 1:24 pm
is westborn market considered local?
January 23rd, 2009 at 3:25 pm
We know it is in Dearborn so it’s local, but perhaps you’re asking if the owners live locally? Could you please rephrase the question?