Posted: May 27, 2009

Changes to businesses in downtown Greendale are springing up along with the season, but, in one sense at least, it's not all roses. The business district has already gained one, will add another, and lose a well-established proprietor, though with some hope of a similar replacement.

Harvest's time

After 10 years in the village, Great Harvest Bread Co., 5637 Broad St., recently announced plans to close its doors sometime this summer.

Dawn Wright, who operates the business with her husband, Jeff, said the closure is not due to the economy. The couple has more personal reasons.

"We've been in the bakery for 10 years, and 10 years ago it was originally our goal to do it for about that time and move on," Wright said.

The bakery's 13 part-time employees may get a reprieve, however - the Wrights are in discussions with another bakery that is interested in taking over. The prospective owners have agreed to staff the existing Great Harvest employees, Wright said.

Although she could not disclose the name of the bakery, Wright said the business operates several other bakeries in the Milwaukee area. In addition to bakery, the business also would offer sandwiches for lunch.

They also said they would consider purchasing Great Harvest bread from the Elm Grove location in order to continue selling it in Greendale, she said.

"My husband and I feel very comfortable and excited about this," she said. "I think it's the perfect closure."

Wright is not certain when the change of ownership will take place, but said it would be by August at the latest.

A new slice

Meanwhile, Kathy's Village Pizza hopes to open in Gazebo Square by early June, filling the space formerly occupied by short-lived business Busha's Fine Cakes & Pastries, 5721 Broad St.

Owner Joe Waters said the business will primarily be takeout and delivery, with a small area for dining in, and should not be in competition with popular restaurant Ricardo's Pizza, 5627 Broad St.

The restaurant will have a "soft" opening, he said, to test out its menu. Its initial hours likely will be 4 to 10 p.m., with expanded hours in the future. The actual opening date is dependent on upcoming inspections, he added.

"It's a nice little community, and it supports its businesses," Waters said of his choice to open in Greendale.

Pet project

With about two months under his belt, Gary Conley, owner of Caesar's Pet, 5686 Broad St., said he couldn't have picked a better place to locate.

Conley purchased the business, formerly Pawprints Across Your Heart, from previous owner Jeannette Jacobe in March.

Conley, who previously operated two kiosks at Mayfair Mall in Wauwatosa, said he had been looking for a storefront location. Coincidentally, Jacobe was considering moving out of state and wanted to sell her storefront, he said.

"We got to talking and came to terms," Conley said.

Caesar's Pet offers many of the same products as Pawprints did and more, Conley said. A variety of pet essentials and extras, as well as gifts for pet lovers, are sold at the business. Services - including dog birthday parties, pet weddings and pet funerals and memorial services - also are offered.