(WEST FARGO) – After the West Fargo City Commission failed to act on an agreement between the city and a local garden center, the owner of the garden center now says she’s closing her doors.
At the center of the issue between the City and SheyWest Garden Center, and its owner, Jodi Kallias, is a letter sent to SheyWest on May 21 regarding several violations seen by city staff, which included the use of Kallias’ property to host private events, outside vendors, food sales and live entertainment events. These items are not permitted under the Planned Unit Development. Additionally, some of the driveways and parking areas on the property are gravel and are required to be paved. Additionally, city staff said signs on the property exist that were not reviewed or permitted by the city.
Following Tuesday night’s meeting, Kallias took to social media to announce that the city lost a garden center – signaling a closure of SheyWest Garden Center.
“I am at a total loss everyone, and here to report that the City of West Fargo lost a garden center this evening,” Kallias said in the post. “#SaveSheyWest has failed.”
Kallias went on to describe the meeting and pointed frustration towards the fact that she and other supporters were in attendance and not called upon.
“We had friends, vendors, employees and West Fargo neighbors who all came to support our mission tonight,” she said. “The audience witnessed firsthand the abuse that we have suffered repeatedly as this process has drawn out into five years of twists and turns. Almost none of which are to help our chance at success.”
Kallias went on to say that Commission President Bernie Dardis ‘refuses’ to work with them until ‘we correct the “violations.”
She thanked her customers.
“Thank you to West Fargo for the good years,” Kallias wrote. “With much reservation and many tears and sleepless nights, please recognize, we tried until the last breath.”
She encouraged concerned citizens to reach out to the city commissioners to tell them that the store was loved and that citizens ‘are angry that they want to see it closed.’
In closing, Kallias sent a message to business owners.
“Do NOT come to West Fargo with your dreams. They hate you for them and want to see you fail,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what you want in life or how hard you work for it. It matters what they allow and don’t allow.”
We have reached out to Kallias in an attempt for more information.
There is no word on when the garden center will close. She said the property is for sale.
