The Ile Camera
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Agreement with tavern owners is reworked
Business will pay fewer fees during downtime
By Lena Khzouz, The Ile Camera
PUBLISHED: February 2, 2007
The township Board of Trustees has restructured its agreement with Sharkey's Tavern because of the downturn in business during the winter.
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Sharkey's has been in business for about one year in the township-owned building at West River and Bellevue roads.
The original idea was that the tavern would rent the space at Water's Edge for a flat fee of $2,000 per month plus 10 percent of the profits' gross income, Supervisor Kurt Kobiljak said.
However, as soon as the golf season ended, the facility did not get as much business as it did in the summer.
As a result, the board forgave Sharkey's for what it owed for October and November and the payment agreements were changed in general.
Now, during the off-season in December, January, February and March, the tavern will only have to pay the $2,000 monthly fee, not the additional 10 percent of the income.
During busier times, it will have to pay both fees, Kobiljak said.
Kobiljak said the township has to realize that this is a seasonal business.
He said township leaders could have been strict with owners Brian and Debbie Sharkey about the payments, but they decided instead to do anything they can to work with them.
"We're very fortunate to have this tenant," the supervisor said. "We worked so hard for all these years to get a good tenant down there, and Brian Sharkey ... is a great tenant."
Kobiljak noted that Sharkey was raised on Grosse Ile, so he knows the people and what they want.
Through the end of this fiscal year, which ends March 31, Sharkey's will have paid the township $39,000 for use of the facility, he said.
This was the first year in business, and Kobiljak said they believe business will pick up in the summer to offset the winter months.
The business is moving in the right direction, Kobiljak said.
"He's very excited about spring 2007, and so are we," he said. "He did tremendous business in the summertime, but winter is just tough."
Resident Mary Ann Owens, however, said many businesses struggle during the winter, including those along Macomb.
"I just think it's not fair that they select one business that they're going to kind of pamper along for the winter or the three months and not all the businesses," Owens said, "and for that matter, even the private citizens. ... They might have a hard time and want a break."
Brian Sharkey preferred not to comment at length, saying that he does not want to reveal details about his business.
"The township is doing everything they can to help us," he said.
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