By Lauri Lee
Northside Economic Development Coalition

How the Northside supports emerging entrepreneurs is a grow-your-own economic development plan. The Northside is an affordable place to start a new business. Businesses may start out small, but through friendly community support they grow into larger businesses able to hire more of our neighbors and redistribute dollars back into our local economy. 

The start of a new year is always a good time to take a retrospective look in the rear view mirror to get a collective view of what and who is new in the Northside business community. Here’s a business news summary covering the past year or so:

Around the Northside TownCenter
The Northside TownCenter at North Sherman Avenue and Northport Drive is now a Northside food destination visited by people from around the city and region. The fresh, local food focus started with the Northside Farmers Market, Habaneros Mexican Grill and Benvenuto’s Italian Grill. Willy Street Co-op North opened in August 2016. In the past year, they’ve been joined by Bierock, Beef Butter BBQ and Kingdom Afro-fusion restaurant. The Bistro Honda Japanese restaurant opened in February 2018 and closed in the fall of 2018. 

The opening of Orthodox Natural Fitness at 2903 N. Sherman Ave., in the Northside TownCenter is a great example of a small business expanding operation on the Northside. The boutique fitness and wellness center, owned by entrepreneurs David and Sarah Welther, is more than eight times the size of Iron Pagoda, which they started at Lakewood Plaza. They loved the Northside and were able to keep the business here. The vibe of being near the co-op and eateries serving organic, locally-sourced, fresh ingredients has been a good fit for them. 

Goodwill of South Central Wisconsin at 2901 N. Sherman Ave. not only has a great inventory of clothing and household goods, it also boasts a dedicated community room space that was included in the new store at the request of local elected officials. It accommodates up to 30 people and may be reserved for community meetings and activities.

There is still approximately 12,000 square feet available at the TownCenter, next door to Orthdx Natural Fitness, for another business venture looking to start or expand their enterprise.

More food and garden news

• Jim’s Meat Market, which served meats, deli and bakery items at 1436 Northport Dr. for over 40 years, closed at the end of 2017 when the building was purchased by Kwik Trip.

• Jacobson Bros. Meats and Deli at 617 N. Sherman Ave. will close all operations at the end of January. 
• Bear and Bottle opened at the Lakewood Plaza in May 2017. 
• Athens Grill of Westport opened in December 2017 on the north edge of Madison in Westport with a farm-to-table menu.
• Jung Garden Center manager, Don Dettor, retired in February 2018 after 25 years. We welcome Catie Fischer as the new manager at the 1313 Northport Dr. location. 
• Falbo Bros Pizzeria at NorthGate changed ownership to Keith Maggit and Andy Kalin in April 2017. 

Health and fitness

• The Meditate Madison studio, owned by Deb Phelps, opened in April 2018 at Cambridge Place, 621 N. Sherman Ave., Suite B11.
• Madison Chiropractic welcomed new partner, Paul Mergen, in January.

Around NorthGate

• Door Creek Church added a new Northside Madison Campus at 1181 N. Sherman Ave., next to Anytime Fitness. The grand opening was held in September 2018. The 10:30 am Sunday service is led by Pastor David Smith. 
• Dog Dog Daycare, owned by Jennifer StCyr, opened in October 2018 at 1201 N. Sherman Ave. The daycare is a fun, safe environment for dogs to play, rest, receive mental stimulation and be given meals, treats, attention and training while away from their parents. 
• The UPS Store‒NorthGate celebrated their 20th anniversary in September by updating and remodeling the store. “I’m proud to be a part of the Northside community and am committed to continuing to support the Northside for many more years,” said owner Margo Dixon. 

Financially speaking 

• Ginger Conroy became the Old National Banking Center manager at the 2929 N. Sherman Ave. branch in March 2018.
• Cameron Woldt became the vice president – senior premier banker at BMO Harris Bank at 1202 N. Sherman Ave. in August 2018. 
• Lee Kampa became the UW Credit Union branch manager in October 2018. The branch is located at 1422 Northport Dr. 
• Sue Peck opened Evolution Financial in September 2017 at 2701 International Lane, Suite 203. 
• Great Lakes Higher Education Corporation headquartered on International Lane, Madison, was one of the largest student loan providers and guarantors in the U.S. In 2018, the loan servicing part of the organization was sold to Nelnet and renamed Ascendium Education Group.

By shifting your purchasing power to buy in your own neighborhood first, you are showing Northside pride, investing in entrepreneurs and the people you know, as well as strengthening our entire community.