A business specializing in Russian ballet shoes is planning to consolidate its operations in Franklin Park.
The business moving into the village, Mannheim Holding LLC., is an affiliate of Russian Pointe Inc. and specializes in importing and distributing ballet equipment such as Russian ballet slippers, jazz shoes and apparel and accessories and carrying cases. It will be at 3230 Mannheim Road.
Zoe Heidorn, a planner with the village, said the business has a purchase agreement in place for $1.6 million at the former location of Midwest Electronics.
The property, which has been vacant for about four years, is 30,797 square feet and about four miles from O’Hare International Airport. A real estate listing with Coldwell Banker says the property includes 21-foot tall ceilings, a static free lab for electronics, poured precast concrete soundproof walls, two loading docks, an air-conditioned interior garage and 28 parking spaces.
“We’ve been working, since I’ve arrived, on finding a user for this property. It’s been difficult, so we’re very happy it is now moving forward,” Heidorn said, adding the request was submitted on Aug. 25 “and we’re recommending it for approval.”
The Franklin Park Village Board approved a 6B real estate tax credit for 3230 Mannheim Holding LLC at its meeting last week. This classification is designed to encourage industrial development throughout Cook County by offering a real estate tax incentive for the development of new industrial facilities, the rehabilitation of existing industrial structures and the industrial reutilization of abandoned buildings. Properties receiving Class 6B tax credits are assessed at 10 percent of market value for the first 10 years, then 15 percent in the 11th year and 20 percent in the 12th year.
Heidorn said the business owners are consolidating warehouse space in Bensenville and offices in Chicago by moving into Franklin Park and investing about $100,000 into the new site.
“Who would have thought that ballet shoes are that profitable?” Village President Barrett Pedersen asked during last Monday’s meeting.
Trustee Karen Special pointed out that importing and distributing Russian ballet equipment is a niche business.
“My daughters are dancers, and there are very few of those businesses around,” Special said. “So people will come from all over to get their shoes.”
Heidorn said the business has 16 employees and added that it is planning to hire additional employees over the next few years.
Alex V. Hernandez is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.