By Stephanie Jones
Correspondent
A new retail shop has been given the green light to move into the former First Congregational Church on Union Street, about a block from the East Troy Village Square.
The East Troy Village Board on Monday approved an ordinance to allow for retail in the former church at 2931 Union Street.
The village’s Plan Commission initially had proposed creating a subsection in the ordinance that would limit the business’ hours to 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily after several residents expressed concerns about a new retail business in a residential neighborhood. But ultimately the Village Board voted Dec. 18 to remove that condition to give the business more flexibility if needed.
Proposed gift shop
The business that is anticipated to go into the old church is Wilted Rose, which is currently located in Mukwonago, explained Steve Lambrechts, co-owner of the Union Street property.
The Wilted Rose, currently located at 201 S. Rochester Street, across from the Mukwonago Walgreens, is a small resale and gift shop that works with local artisans.
Lambrechts said the original plan was for the property to be filled with office space.
“But we have not had any great luck with filling the church space, which is quite large, with offices so we had a Mukwonago business come talk to us because they want to move their small business retail gift shop to that location,” Lambrechts said at the Dec. 11 village Plan Commission meeting, where the plan received initial approval.
The current hours for the Mukwonago business are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday to Friday; 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, with the shop closed on Monday and Tuesday.
In talking about the new location, Lambrechts said, “It’s one block from the square. We kind of think it fits with the character of the square. Most people we assume will park on the square and walk.
“When this was an operating church, there were multiple services on a Sunday, with the church seating over 100 people,” he said, adding that on Saturdays there were weddings, baptisms and funerals.
“Never was there a problem,” Lambrechts said. “We are asking for something, which I believe is much smaller, much less of an impact and fits in my opinion.”
For the full story, please see the print edition of the East Troy News or Times.
