Comments for Hyperlocal Glover Park

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by MegDC

MegDC — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:12:44 +0000

The landlord of 2319 Wisconsin (where Tennis Zone is) had approached Max about becoming a second tenant in that space. The landlord would like to add onto the back of the building to make room for one tenant upstairs and one downstairs. Other landlords have called Max as well–he mentioned one in Adams Morgan to me. But Max has said repeatedly that he does not want to move. He says if he can’t stay where he is, he will close the shop and do something else, that God must have a different plan for him. Unless he changes his mind, there’ll be no relocation.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by Gail

Gail — Thu, 23 May 2013 23:03:14 +0000

Has anyone found a site in Glover Park where Max and his daughter could relocate? I think Wisconsin Avenue frontage would be critical.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by Mark Collins

Mark Collins — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:45:11 +0000

Thanks for asking.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by MegDC

MegDC — Thu, 23 May 2013 17:30:23 +0000

I posed your question to the Bassins through their attorney, and he responded that their uncle ran the deli before Goodie took it over.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by Dave

Dave — Wed, 22 May 2013 20:54:28 +0000

As if the Biden grandchildren are going to lose a wink of sleep over this. Let’s keep some perspective, Glover Park.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by Nick Jacobs

Nick Jacobs — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:44:02 +0000

It seems very clear to me that the Bassins were trying to force out Max. I have no idea why, but all the flowery language does not hide the fact that they were willing to extend Snedden’s lease beyond the 20 year mark and not do the same for Max. I have talked to several commercial/retail property folks and they all have told me that leases can be structured in any way that both parties ageee to. And the backhanded slap about being open twelve months a year is just an ugly gesture on the part of the Bassins. It doesnt take common sense to realize that not a lot of people buy ice cream in the winter and closing shop was perhaps the most economical approach. Having worked in an ice cream store as a teen, I know for a fact that operating costs generally outpace revenue in the winter. You simply try to mkae it through and recoup in the summer. I guess the Bassins felt that wasnt good enough, even as he was paying 12 months of rent out of 8 months of revenue.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by Mark Collins

Mark Collins — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:35:56 +0000

One reason for the concern about being open year round may have to do with spotting possible property damage and some landlords get a cut of the receipts. If Max is only open for 8 months then they are losing out on 4 months revenue.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by VW

VW — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:29:08 +0000

It’s frustrating to me that the Bassins play the ‘good and worthy neighbor’ card by reminding us of their heritage in Glover Park. We are all neighbors, sure, and we’ll respect you for that — but to hear them use the fact that Max’s isn’t open year-round as a reason to not renew him is disappointing.

I’d love to see the Bassins explain this reasoning to the Biden grandchildren.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by MegDC

MegDC — Wed, 22 May 2013 03:55:46 +0000

When real estate people talk about the “highest and best use” of a property, they mean the use that will produce the most income. The Bassins specifically mention that the building will be used “twelve months a year” by Rocklands, and they also praise the Rocklands staff as “excellent stewards of the property,” so my guess is that it was important to them to have a tenant who’d be open and generating revenue–not to mention checking on the property–every single day. In fact, modern leases (as opposed to the one that Max’s predecessor negotiated 20 years ago) often require the tenant to open for business 365 days a year. I don’t know if the new Rocklands lease requires this, but a provision like that would definitely fall under the category of “special terms they couldn’t get from Max,” who closes four months of the year.

I’m sure you’re right that there are things left unsaid by the Bassins, but I think Max’s supporters need to recognize that it’s possible they’re being left unsaid out of discretion rather than sneakiness or shame. If the landlords were drawn to a “friendly” tenant with whom they always had “a positive relationship,” this may not have been their experience with Max. Many, many adults and children adore Max, but they don’t know what he’s like to do business with. I certainly don’t. The Bassins do, and they evidently decided that they did not want to continue to do business with him, as is their right. The fact that he thought there was a lease negotiation going on and they didn’t suggests a very serious communication breakdown that may have caused other problems before this one. I don’t know that, but I do know that people of good will often have conflicting needs. I’ve seen no evidence that’s not what’s happening here.

I hope that we as a neighborhood can come together and help Max to preserve his legacy for his family and for the many who love him and cherish his shop. I don’t think it’s necessary to find a villain in this situation in order to do that.

Comment on Bassins speak: We hear you, but we’re sticking with Rocklands by Andy

Andy — Wed, 22 May 2013 00:05:33 +0000

Glad the third side of this story finally explained themselves.
I want to know why Max waited months in between his communications with the Bassins.
I can understand why the Bassins would want to keep a tenant like Rocklands (which has grown substantially in 20 years) over a tenant like Max’s.
I don’t understand why max doesn’t stay open year round – contributing to foot traffic.
GP has expressed a desire for an ice cream shop – so Max and his daughter would be wise to move now when support is high as a closed business is worth less than an open viable business.