It apparently pays to be good local citizens, highly-regarded business and community activists.
Supported by everyone present, 4 One 2 Distillery and Stop, Drop & Play co-owners Anthony Winters and Nissa Smith Tuesday night won a big “yes” to their request for a parking variance to accommodate the business they relocated to 7139 S. Main St. next to the VFW post.
The three members of the Wayland City Zoning Board of Appeals insisted, however, that the reason for approval had a lot more to do with it meeting required standards.
Lisa Banas, chairwoman of the ZBA, said of Smith and Winters, “I fell like they’re Mr. and Mrs. Wayland,” noting their many contributions to the community, particularly the balloonist last September just north of the city.
Board member Steve Stepped, also a city councilman, said he has worked with and seen other communities come to the conclusion that strict parking regulations only serve to drive away business.
“May favorite brewery in Grand Rapids has only six parking spaces and sometimes there are as many as 100 people”(inside the business), insisting the vast majority park on a side street and walk.
Smith and Winters owned and operated 4 One 2 at the corner of Pine and South Main Streets until last years, when Winters said the landlord raised the rent to $5,000 a month, which he called, “an unsustainable business model.” Smith already had opened the arcade, so 4 One 2 moved in and has been selling its famous tacos there since.
The Health Department and Michigan Liquor Control Commission have given their blessings.
Winters said the restaurant, distillery and arcade could employ as many as 15 to 20 people, but only three to five at one time. He added that current parking is for 4,600 square feet and 17 spaces and he is negotiating for possible additional spaces across the street. Current rules for South Main permit parking on the street as well, but that will change after construction this summer.
The building at that location was constructed in the mid-1950s and it has been home to a variety of businesses, including a grocery, a roller rink and the Quonset Hut health food store.
Bob Serulla, former owner of the Quonset Hut, said he had no problems with the parking arrangements.
Steve Hubbard, a former local business owner told the ZBA, “Give them the variance. Let them give it a try.”
Rick Kerber and Leslie Gonzales pointed to the couple’s commitment to the community and said they’d hate to see them go elsewhere.
Indeed, Winters said he and Smith have been asked by other communities if they’d like to pull up stakes and move, but he has declined.
Phyllis Marchotti said Smith and Winters are “the two most selfless people I’ve ever met.”
The three ZBA members in attendance, Banas, Stepek and Seth Schaefer, were unanimous is voting to grant approval.
