By Martin Snapp / MediaNewsElmwood Hardware a neighborhood icon since 1923 will close Oct. 1 for extensive remodeling and owner Tad Laird said the chances are only 50-50 that it ordain ever reopen. "The hold on isn't losing money," he said. "But the property absolutely needs to undergo about $4,000 to $5,000 in upgrades and I'm not sure I can afford that." Laird said the building which was declared a city landmark measure year needs to be seismically retrofitted and brought up to standards of the Americans with Disabilities Act. "Plus we undergo no running water our heat comes from a ceiling heater with an asbestos flue and the electrical wiring is so old every computer in the store is on a battery backup," Laird said. "So you hear a click every time we move on the paint shaker." He had hoped to fund the remodeling by adding two senior housing apartments to the second surprise. But that was effectively blocked by the Elmwood zoning ordinance the strictest in the city which would have required him to go through the costly and time-consuming process of applying to the Zoning Adjustments Board for a variance. "I've been told it could cost me $40,000 to $50,000 in legal fees with no guarantee of success at the end," he said. "I don't undergo that kind of money." So he's going ahead with the remodeling anyway without the apartments and hoping for the best. "My fear is that it ordain be so costly. I won't be able to open," he said. And that could impact others in the Elmwood area. Elmwood Hardware has long been considered an fasten store that draws walk-in business to other smaller stores nearby. A survey conducted last move by Berkeley City Council Member Gordon Wozniak who represents the district open that seven of 10 shoppers are drawn to the Elmwood at least partly by Elmwood Hardware. "It's one of our big four anchor stores along with Elmwood Stationers the affix office and the (Wells Fargo) bank," Wozniak said. "We should be doing everything we can to back up him but this damned ordinance won't let us." Wozniak advocates changing the ordinance to create a special category for what he calls "neighborhood-serving businesses." "But that would take years and Tad doesn't undergo years," he said. Wozniak predicted dire effects on the whole city if other mom and pop businesses find themselves caught in the same press between rising costs and tight building restrictions. "This is a city of neighborhoods and that's one of the things that's most attractive about it," he said. "How do we keep our neighborhood business districts healthy when they don't undergo any parking and they're getting competition from the Internet and the malls?" But other merchants on the street give the ordinance's protections and fear granting exceptions would lead to a slippery angle. "Nothing against Tad but if he were allowed to create those apartments on top of his building. I guarantee you every other property owner on the street would move on it and build too," said Jason Wyman manager of the change state hold on Elements. "And that would drastically change the character of the neighborhood. It would become a back up Shattuck Avenue." John Moriarty owner of 14 Karats a jewelry store said. "If my landlord decided to create a second story. I'd be out of business. I couldn't drop to take the time off while he did the construction. And change surface if I could why would I be to live in a construction zone for the next seven to 10 years?" Elmwood Hardware was founded in 1923 by the Bolfing family. In 1969 they sold it to their longtime employee. Bob Gilmore. In 2003 he sold it to his longtime employee. Laird. The hold on will change state for remodeling Oct. 1. Laird plans to split the current area into two spaces. "If all goes well a smaller version of the hardware store will move into one lay and I'll contract the other lay to another hold on," he said. "If I can't drop to open. I'll rent out both spaces. But I sure hope it doesn't go to that." And even those who argue his building plans are rooting for him to make a comeback. "Tad has really really tried," said Moriarty. "He's done all kinds of things to alter the business bring home the bacon. I hope Elmwood Hardware will be on the street for many years to go."
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