Business & Tech

Former Shelby Paint Store Could be New Home for Neighborhood Club Thrift Shop

The Grosse Pointe Woods city council will consider a variance request to allow for the resale shop as an ordinance prohibits any business from selling more than 25 percent of used goods.

The is trying to find a new home as it's former location at Waterloo and St. Clair Street is about to undergo demolition. 

Tonight the city council, meeting as the Zoning Board of Appeals, will make a decision about whether to allow the non-profit resale shop to locate in a vacant Mack Avenue store front. 

The public hearing is set to begin at 7:35 p.m. at the Grosse Pointe Woods municipal building and will include comment, if there is any, from supporters as well as those who may oppose it. 

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The 3,000-square-foot building, 19483 Mack Ave., formerly housed Shelby Paint. It could become the Neighborhood Club Thrift Shop's permanent home. The building's owner, Chris Mannino, is seeking the variance on the city's ordinance, which restricts retailers from selling any more than 25 percent of second hand goods. 

Neighborhood Club spokeswoman Amy Roy previously told Patch the Thrift Shop has been seeking a permanent home rather than temporary. The shop must find a new location as its current building is to be demolished as part of between the Neighborhood Club and . 

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All of the organizations housed in the current building have been relocated to temporary locations for the duration of the construction, which is slated to begin in September. 

Finding a permanent home for the Thrift Shop will provide it more stability as a retailer, Roy said, explaining they don't want to pack up, unpack and then pack up again. 

Mannino's variance request states the Thrift Shop is unlikely to have any different or negative impact upon the neighboring businesses or residents as compared to Shelby Paint. The retail hours will be similar and the Thrift Shop customers are even likely to frequent some of the other area businesses, according to the application. 

If approved, the Thrift Shop intends to take immediate possession of the space and to update the building cosmetically as well as add signage. The application also emphasizes the Neighborhood Club's history with the community--including the fact that it's been around fro 100 years by way of strong support from the community. 

The variance request first went to the Woods Building Inspector Gene Tutag, who denied the request based on the current ordinance prohibiting such a retailer. Mannino is appealing that decision tonight.

The building is one of two vacant store fronts on that block, which is between Severn and Prestwick. Shelby Paint moved from that location to its current store front down the street at 20481 Mack Ave. more than a year ago. 


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