Woman's Exchange moves ahead with plans for growth

Karen Koblenz is still waiting for the city to set a hearing date on plans to expand the Woman’s Exchange, but she’s eagerly awaiting the conclusion.

“There’s a huge reward in having it decided,” Koblenz said. “It’s going to let me focus on what I’m hired to focus on.”

Koblenz has been working on these plans in some form since she became executive director of the Woman’s Exchange four years ago. The nonprofit consignment shop wants to construct a 3,524-square-foot expansion at 526 Rawls Ave., next to its Orange Avenue location.

Since 2014, the project has faced opposition from the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association, which believes a planned loading area on Rawls will disrupt nearby residential areas. Although city staff issued a building permit for the construction, the neighborhood is appealing the decision.

The Planning Board denied the appeal last month, but the neighborhood is contesting the issue to the City Commission. That early spring hearing should be the final chapter in the ongoing dispute.

Koblenz said the pushback from residents came as a surprise when plans became public.

“We heard from them that they didn’t want us to leave,” she said. “When we decided to buy that (Rawls) property, we felt that people would be happy.”

Kate Lowman, a member of the Laurel Park Neighborhood Association, said the objections were to the plans, not the business.

“While we want to see them successful, the negative consequences of the expansion are being unreasonably placed on Rawls Avenue,” Lowman said.

The new wing, which would house furniture, is designed to improve the internal circulation of the Woman’s Exchange, Koblenz said.

Residents have pushed for a different configuration, but the Woman’s Exchange maintains that several years of planning and multiple consultants have confirmed the proposed expansion is the only plan that will work.

“We’re doing everything that’s consistent with the land use plan, the zoning code, everything,” said planning consultant Joel Freedman. “We’re not asking for anything special.”

The new building isn’t the only plan for growth on which Koblenz wants to focus. The shop will soon offer men’s clothing and tools as it courts a broader clientele. The nonprofit also hopes to double the money it donates to arts-related causes.

If the permit is ultimately denied, the future of the Woman’s Exchange in its current location becomes murkier, Koblenz said. Still, she’s hopeful the prolonged dispute will have a satisfying resolution.

“We want to stay here long term or we sure wouldn’t be going through this,” Koblenz said. “This is where we want to be.”