Record-Journal
11-29-2007, 08:22 PM
MERIDEN -- After six years on the corner of West Main and Colony streets, the Friends of the Library Bookstore may be returning home.
The second-hand book store and gift and sandwich shop’s lease is set to expire in June, and with its downtown rent increasing, the group can no longer afford the space.
“We can’t afford to do what we do to support library activities,” said William Glick, treasurer of the Friends of the Library group.
The group was at the corner of Grove and West streets in 2001, when the Castle Craig Players asked if it could have the space to expand the Red Room, Glick said.
The city stepped in and offered it an $18,000 annual subsidy to move into 1-3 Colony St. and remain a downtown presence.
That subsidy has since been cut to $15,000.
According to Glick, the city’s payments covered about three-fourths of the bookstore’s occupancy cost, but as rent increased, it now covers only 35 to 45 percent.
Representatives from building owner Shoreline Properties LLC could not be reached for comment.
“We had a decent relationship,” Glick said.
“But it’s strictly investment. We can understand her point of view. There’s an uptick in interest in downtown properties.”
The group also expected more foot traffic when Middlesex Community College moved downtown, but it didn’t materialize.
Now, the thinking is that the Friends of the Library needs to be where readers are — at the library, Glick said.
Earlier this week, the Meriden Public Library Board of Directors voted to allow the Friends of the Library to return.
But the vote also meant the group would take space shared by Literacy Volunteers and the Children First Initiative.
The decision shocked Children First Initiative Director David Radcliffe, who hoped the two agencies wouldn’t have to scramble for new space.
On Thursday, City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior met with members of the library board and the Friends of the Library group and asked to reconsider the vote.
“I think it’s important that the process be open and transparent,” Kendzior said. “It’s clear there were very few parties that knew the board would be voting.”
According to Kendzior, board President Joan Edgerly will call a meeting for Dec. 10 and allow representatives from Children First and Literacy Volunteers to say why they should remain in the space they’ve occupied for years.
Literacy Volunteers has been in the library for 24 years, and Children First for 13 years, Radcliffe said.
“We’re hoping there is a willingness to revisit the issue and no group is left homeless,” Radcliffe said. “We’re of the understanding that there is a way that all the groups could be in the library.”
Kendzior agrees and added that with some cooperation, the three groups could fit into the library space.
Glick, who is also chairman of the Future of the Friends Downtown Book Store, said the group needs at least 2,500 square feet to operate. Children First and Literacy Volunteers share about 1,500 square feet.
Radcliffe said it would be difficult for the three organizations to share the existing space, but there could be room in other areas.
Glick had searched several commercial options for Friends of the Library, including a sublease from David Salafia, who runs Fischer’s Fine Foods, sharing space with Gallery 53, and appealing to its landlord. But none of the options suited the needs.
“We’re very hopeful,” Radcliffe said “We hope the final decision works for everybody involved.”
The second-hand book store and gift and sandwich shop’s lease is set to expire in June, and with its downtown rent increasing, the group can no longer afford the space.
“We can’t afford to do what we do to support library activities,” said William Glick, treasurer of the Friends of the Library group.
The group was at the corner of Grove and West streets in 2001, when the Castle Craig Players asked if it could have the space to expand the Red Room, Glick said.
The city stepped in and offered it an $18,000 annual subsidy to move into 1-3 Colony St. and remain a downtown presence.
That subsidy has since been cut to $15,000.
According to Glick, the city’s payments covered about three-fourths of the bookstore’s occupancy cost, but as rent increased, it now covers only 35 to 45 percent.
Representatives from building owner Shoreline Properties LLC could not be reached for comment.
“We had a decent relationship,” Glick said.
“But it’s strictly investment. We can understand her point of view. There’s an uptick in interest in downtown properties.”
The group also expected more foot traffic when Middlesex Community College moved downtown, but it didn’t materialize.
Now, the thinking is that the Friends of the Library needs to be where readers are — at the library, Glick said.
Earlier this week, the Meriden Public Library Board of Directors voted to allow the Friends of the Library to return.
But the vote also meant the group would take space shared by Literacy Volunteers and the Children First Initiative.
The decision shocked Children First Initiative Director David Radcliffe, who hoped the two agencies wouldn’t have to scramble for new space.
On Thursday, City Manager Lawrence J. Kendzior met with members of the library board and the Friends of the Library group and asked to reconsider the vote.
“I think it’s important that the process be open and transparent,” Kendzior said. “It’s clear there were very few parties that knew the board would be voting.”
According to Kendzior, board President Joan Edgerly will call a meeting for Dec. 10 and allow representatives from Children First and Literacy Volunteers to say why they should remain in the space they’ve occupied for years.
Literacy Volunteers has been in the library for 24 years, and Children First for 13 years, Radcliffe said.
“We’re hoping there is a willingness to revisit the issue and no group is left homeless,” Radcliffe said. “We’re of the understanding that there is a way that all the groups could be in the library.”
Kendzior agrees and added that with some cooperation, the three groups could fit into the library space.
Glick, who is also chairman of the Future of the Friends Downtown Book Store, said the group needs at least 2,500 square feet to operate. Children First and Literacy Volunteers share about 1,500 square feet.
Radcliffe said it would be difficult for the three organizations to share the existing space, but there could be room in other areas.
Glick had searched several commercial options for Friends of the Library, including a sublease from David Salafia, who runs Fischer’s Fine Foods, sharing space with Gallery 53, and appealing to its landlord. But none of the options suited the needs.
“We’re very hopeful,” Radcliffe said “We hope the final decision works for everybody involved.”