Let’s be reminded that Tasty Dog wouldn’t be in this mess and was doing fine in its old location until the Village of Oak Park decided to try and take it over by eminent domain. [Frankly, Tasty Dog has a tax problem, News, July 22] It should also be pointed out that in the same issue, Wednesday Journal published three articles about local stores going bankrupt or closing. Two of those businesses sit on the old Tasty Dog location. Every time a local business is forced to close, we all lose. People lose jobs, and the village loses sales tax dollars.
Assuming the information regarding Tasty Dog’s rent is correct, the Village of Oak Park has collected approximately $500,000 from Tasty dog since 2003. The sales tax amount generated from Tasty Dog to Oak Park, Cook County and the State of Illinois was undisclosed in the article. If they were forced to close their doors over the Cook County leasehold tax, the village would be out a large amount of rent in addition to the sales taxes Tasty Dog generates.
Sales tax dollars and viable merchants are needed to keep Oak Park the desirable village that attracts other businesses. Hopefully by working together, the village and local businesses will attract people who will spend their money and stimulate Oak Park’s economy. The last thing this village needs during this recession is another empty storefront. I hope Tasty Dog, Oak Park and Cook County can find a suitable way to resolve this issue before we lose another small business.
Sue Liss
Hinsdale
Submitted to WednesdayJournalOnline.com