We Need Your Help
The biggest obstacles currently between us and opening are the permits and requirements we are needing on a town, county, and state level.
We have to meet certain requirements for materials, size, and drainage for the parking lot. When we were working back in February on the parking lot plan Mario and I decided that a one way wrap around driveway with parking in the back of the house would be the best. We'd eliminate traffic on Main St. and we'd keep the cars more tucked away from our residential neighbors. Originally I wanted the entire parking lot on the south side of the house but as we were met with requirements for how many parking stalls we'd be required based on the square footage of the house (16 spots & 1 ADA) it became clear there wouldn't be enough space over on that side.
You can see the site plan drawn up below that we submitted back in March to the BZA.
Whitestown's unified development ordinance will not allow us to pave this parking lot with gravel without us applying for another special use variance. This is time consuming (2+ months), expensive ($750 at minimum), and was a pretty frustrating process the first time (we had to get a special use variance to have a coffee shop here in the first place since the house is zoned residential and light industrial). We are being asked by the county to have a site drainage plan drawn & stamped by an engineer (which costs upwards of $12,000), and we've been quoted so far on possibly $30,000 for excavating, and $40,000 for paving. I am so incredibly thankful for the support we've been shown here and am hoping we can raise the full $60,000 for our campaign! We have 25 days left! This space at 607 S. Main St. is absolutely incredible. Not only is it on 2 acres of land but as a business owner the location is absolutely perfect. I am tucked right in-between thousands of residents, and right at the southern tip of the legacy core (our historic downtown). A few blocks away are walking trails, a brand new library, parks, and a few awesome restaurants. There is no other local coffee shop in the area, and while somedays it feels like these red tape requirements are going to kill the dream, all I have to do is take a step back and remember that this is not crazy- that there are hundreds of small businesses being run in old homes, and that we'll get there. One day at a time! I'm learning SO.MUCH.
