In Madison, WI, our family-owned hardware store is facing a critical challenge: the city's proposed Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system threatens to take away our essential on-street parking and even our driveway. This move could severely impact our livelihood.

Our customers rely on the on-street parking for easy access, particularly when purchasing large, bagged goods that cannot be carried from a distant side street. Additionally, we depend on this parking space for deliveries, which are crucial for restocking our store. Without convenient parking, our loyal customers might struggle to visit us, putting the survival of our family business in jeopardy.

The implementation of the BRT system, while beneficial for public transportation, seems to neglect the needs of small business owners like us. Small businesses are the backbone of communities, providing jobs and a personal touch that larger corporations often do not. We have been part of the Madison community for over 50 years, and losing our business would not only affect us but also the character of our neighborhood.

Local businesses in Madison generate significant economic benefits, creating jobs and offering unique products and services that enhance the community's lifestyle. According to the Institute for Local Self-Reliance, small businesses recycle a much larger share of their revenue back into the local economy compared to chain stores.

We propose that the city planners consider alternative solutions that would allow the BRT system to coexist with the needs of small business owners. Perhaps creating designated delivery zones or adjusting the planned route could help mitigate the negative impact on local businesses.

Let’s ensure the future BRT system respects and preserves the rich diversity of Madison's vibrant small business community. Please join us in urging city officials to reconsider the current BRT plans and find a compromise that benefits everyone involved.

Please sign this petition to protect our parking and driveway access, and to safeguard the future of our family-owned, woman-owned, local hardware store. Along with many other Park Street businesses, we thank you for your continued support. 

We need you now more than ever!

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Aug 16, 2025 Update:

Keep the support coming!  Every signature counts and we appreciate your support and shares tremendously!

To clear up or avoid any confusion, we are not against BRT - we are only requesting that we can find a way to co-exist and BOTH parties can thrive. This makes it difficult. They previously removed our olin side parking spots and made that a bus stop without notice a year or two ago. Then claimed it was always right there! 

Our street parking may not seem essential to some, but these spaces are necessary for not only parking, but deliveries and customer loading as well.  And with 60% of business generated from commercial house accounts and maintenance companies, they are not going to visit if it is difficult.. parking spaces out front allows customers to load up 30 bags that weigh 50lbs each, or 2 complete toilets, etc.

Removing our driveway is not feasible, since we obviously can not drive our forklift over a curb.  The olin driveway is single width, therefore vehicles entering and exiting at the same time is not possible.

Not to mention the proposed curb that has been marked on the sidewalk, leaves not only a narrow 3ft sidewalk up against our building, but also takes away our space for pallets of heavy bagged goods. 

This narrow of a sidewalk would not accomodate a motorized wheelchair for example, with pedestrians and customers leaving the store at the same time (sometimes carrying a 10ft length pipe). There will not be enough of a safe buffer from traffic.

What we are proposing is for the allowance of the existing spaces to remain in front of our store where it is necessary to operate. Previous plans had shown revisions that they would leave the parking alone in front of us and a few other businesses on Park St. 

Thanks for considering with an open mind to help local small businesses like ours survive another 50+years. Many other Park St businesses appreciate the support as well in regards to this matter.