Merchants pleading for more parking in W. Dundee

Business is flourishing in downtown West Dundee.

There's a pet store, candy store, bridal shop, florist, hair salon, insurance and law offices as well as numerous restaurants and pubs.

But some business owners whose properties front Route 72 say a parking problem is threatening the continued growth of downtown.

They say there are not enough parking spaces along First and Second streets and in the public parking lots to accommodate customers.

Parking is prohibited along Route 72, also known as Main Street.

"Business in downtown is coming to a max because of the parking issues," Randy Errington, owner of Hammerhead's Billiards Pub, says in a letter to the village.

"I need to stress to you and the board that for the downtown to thrive, there must be sufficient parking and the issue must be addressed quickly," Errington continues.

To make sure it maintains its downtown development momentum, the village has proposed several parking changes to provide a short term answer, Village Manager Joe Cavallaro said.

Those include limiting parking on Second Street to two hours between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. and the closure of Third Street between Washington Street and Route 72 on Friday and Saturday nights, available only to valet-parked cars.

Village staff will also meet with business owners at 7 p.m. Wednesday in the village hall to discuss the options.

Though there are about 220 parking spaces on the street and in public lots, Cavallaro said there are perceived and real parking problems, depending on the time and day.

"Friday and Saturday nights there's definitely a real problem based on the activity and things going on in the area," Cavallaro said.

To beat the weekend crush, a few local restaurants -- like Francesca's Campagna and Emmett's Tavern and Brewing Co. -- have hired valet parking services.

But on weekdays, the perception is that there is a parking problem because a spot convenient to a business is not always available, Cavallaro said.

Perceived or real, that still poses a problem for Jill Wozniak and Holly Rogers of Pet Pals.

"Some customers complain because employees of other businesses park right in front of the store in the back parking lot," said Wozniak, who added her customers often have to lug heavy bags of pet food to their vehicles.

"If parking in the back is full, they're not going to drive around. They are going to say, 'Forget it,' " Wozniak said.