I'm all in favor of taking common sense steps to keep a value add operation like Lemon Tree downtown. Obviously we need to draw the line somewhere, but the realities of the marketplace require some level of flexibility. We should make whatever concessions are appropriate to be helpful if doing so impacts their ability to succeed in our downtown.

With respect to Bill, his analogy doesn't work. True, we don't subsidize Jewel or Ultra, but they aren't willing to put a store downtown DG, are they?

The Lemon Tree shares a lot of similarities with Wal Mart's approach to "Neighborhood Markets." The model is relatively new and still catching on, but its a growing trend. We should help Lemon Tree navigate these waters as they continue to operate in these early years.

Word on the street was that Caputo's was moving into the Michael's space. Have there been any permits applied for?

When we start giving concessions to residential taxpayers, then we can offer tax incentives to business. Business is attracted to location based on opportunity. Obviously giving concessions doesn't guarantee a successful business model. If the business fails in short order, the contract is null and void. What is the point?

Of course, there are some questions that need to be answered, such as:

Why did Michael's close the store? It had only been opened about 18 months.

Why is the DG location still shown on the Michael's website?

What about the rumor that people heard from store employees that the store was being sold to Caputo's?

Why hasn't Michael's removed the furnishings? That just give the impression that the store will reopen.

Why did Michael's put up signs saying the store was being remodeled, rather than saying closed and directing customers to other locations?

Additionally, how much is the village willing to spend in legal fees to try to get a failed business to fulfill their contract?

I personally don't think that Lemon Tree is going to be around for eight or 13 years. And where will Downers Grove get the back taxes from if the store goes bankrupt?

Life is a venture and there is some degree of risk in almost anything. The sales tax rebate, just like IRS tax credits, is a viable and often used incentive to attract business.
The Lemon Tree is a nice little business that adds some zest to our downtown. The employees are nice, the store is well maintained, and the number of people visiting the location seems to be growing. Yesterday I walked in to purchase one banana, and I was treated with a store coupon to a free salad at their very nice salad bar. It made my day.

You need look no further than today's news about the departure of Sara Lee from Downers Grove to Chicago to realize the importance of tax incentives. Granted, the Sara Lee situation is a complex one, but if you read this article, the focus is on the incentives they had to move downtown.
They're simply part of the deal and part of our reality.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/chi-sara-lee-coming-back-to-chicago-20111208,0,3470995.story

I too heard Caputo's was moving into this space next Summer.