Letter to the Editor: Art Box Owner Hopes Community Can Support Business, Art

To the Editor:

This relates to the loss of The Pure Gardener in Geneva.

Something everyone is missing here is the fact that three new businesses are being booted, also.

I have worked seven days a week 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. for the past nine months and made huge personal sacrifices to survive and succeed in this economy. 

We teach art classes to kids and adults. I supply the area and schools with good art materials. I have a gallery. I have thrown special art events and receptions for kids, charities and professionals.

My large easel sits in the middle of the space, where I paint and allow people to watch and ask questions. I love Geneva, I really wanted to give this town and the people I love here something special. 

I went to Joe Stanton with idea of creating a "West State Art District" with Art Box, Simitree, Robert Ridyn Photogrophy, The Pure Gardener and The Underground Theater, anchored by Bien Trucha and the Urban Grille, I really saw the vibe and style of this area going in a beautiful direction. I felt little support.

Now I  know why. I was just told I could be looking at 60 to 90 days to make room for another bank.

I am too tired and strapped to fight, and worst yet, I am getting too tired to create, and at Art Box, that is what we do. I don't think I can handle a move.

I like Joe Stanton, he has been a good landlord, and talking to other tenants, I have only heard good things. Joe is just another businessman, like myself, who is just trying to survive. I believe he has done too much for this city to knock him on this. He deserved the Wood Award.

The leadership and the residents of Geneva really need to look at the future of Geneva, and decide what they want and act, before it is too late. I have no problem with progress, I just want to belong.

Len Bielefeldt
Art Box 514 W. State St., Geneva