Eye On Englewood

Link: http://www.eyeonenglewood.com

What Englewood does right certainly deserves Kudos. In this case, it may be the one man band, Jon Cook, who not only owns much retail space on Broadway, but who also serves up his own marketing schemes, and is doing it right.

THE GRAND OPENING of B.I.T.E.S., on S. Broadway and Amhurst will be a sell out on August 6, 2010, if you're one for samies, soups and brekkies. It is located where the popular Auld Dubliner Pub and the one time breakfast spot, Marmalade sat.

Jim and Dave, co-owners, say that BITES is a spin-off of the Blueberry Cafe. All I know is you can get a hell of a good turkey bacon croissant there, and the crab lobster bisque tastes fresh.

The place is well lit and colorful. A roomy, well-healed coffee bar features at the front end. Made fresh daily pastries for the lean at heart entice your digestive juices in the air-conditioned entryway.

In fact, I'd heartily recommend that City Council members eat their fill not only of the pastries, but also of the small business ideas opening up all around them. They, who continue to state they do not have a plan for their main retail district, Englewood's mainstreet, Broadway, should take inventory of the many places bringing paychecks to them.

While City Manager, Gary Sears, has finally recognized his mismanagement of the City budget, cutting jobs, supplies and benefits across the board, entrepreneurs such as the Englewood ma and pa eateries are opening and flourishing in this economy.

Business managers as well as home bodies alike love a good bite out, and Englewood's restaurants are heads above surrounding suburbs.

Link: http://www.englewoodcitizens.org

Allow me to introduce you to Jon Cook, seasoned Englewood entrepreneur and developer. Just before Monday's Council meeting, Cook contacted Council Woman, Jill Wilson, and asked to speak with the City. During her Council's Choice section at the end of the meeting, she did her job and introduced him to speak.

A discussion hotly ensued in which Councilman, Bob McCaslin whined about not being warned before the meeting that Mr. Cook wanted to present, and that no-one knew what he planned to say. Then the discussion turned to procedural issues as to whether Mr. Cook could speak during Council's Choice, out of order from where residents are normally allowed to participate. A vote was taken, and Council asked for it. Jon Cook presented to council regarding a incident that occurred, where a representative from the Englewood Community development department made several harassing remarks to Jon Cook and the owner of Colore restaurant.

Colore, is a great little restaurant at Yale and Broadway, staffed by it's owners to ensure the quality of the food and the hospitality to its customers. When I visited there myself this month, I thought, "Now Englewood will give Pasquini's a run for their money."

But the developer, had his tenants, Colore, down his neck after Tricia Langon came with her arrogant ultimatums, "We can do this the easy way or we can do this the hard way." Apparently, there was no other way she offered to do them.

She was talking about an advertising banner being taken off the building when she slapped her card on the counter. Colore owners responded, "But our landlord told us we could do this."

Her response? "We at the City know all about Jon Cook and we have our issues with him."

Colore immediately ragged on Jon Cook for bringing them into Englewood's domain just to be unfairly treated. After all, as Mr. Cook pointed out to Council, there are storefronts and grocery stores with banners all over Englewood.

Jon Cook ceremoniously handed back Langon's "calling card" to Mayor Woodward, looked at Bob McCaslin and said, "If you have an issue with me, then why don't you call me? My name is plastered all over Broadway with open buildings for lease.

I did exactly what you guys wanted. I gave you the kind of Welcome to Englewood Building you've been asking for. This should be a time of celebration for us...implying that Community Development had ruined it for them.

"But, this isn't the first time Tricia Langon has interfered with us and threatened us," he testified. It is indecent and backwards.

Jon explained many of the reasons why businesses are reluctant to move to the City of Englewood. He also stated that until Ms. Langon is fired, he will no longer be developing properties in the City of Englewood.

City Manager Gary Sears denied that Ms. Langon worked for him or that he had any control over her. He also stated that many complaints come in about various City employees, apparently trying to downplay the incident.

Mr. Cook stuck to his mettle though, and reiterated that he is sick to death of the inhospitable nature of the City. He is finishing up one project and not starting another until the City rascals clean up their acts.