Thank you to those of you that have called and emailed, concerd about why we closed our doors at Scherzer Antiques. The article from the Medford Central Record below will provide further explanation. However, Scherzer Antiques is alive and well - just by appointment only. Please also visit us at any of our other locations. There's no appointement necessary at the locations listed to the left.

Please check back here for news and changes regarding our Medford storefront.

Zoners Deny Downtown Doggy Daycare, By Scott Holden

MEDFORD- The township zoners think Mark and Pam Scherzer are on to something with their idea of a doggy day-care in Medford. The two are just going to have to find another place to do it.

So, what do a doggy daycare and former antique shop on Main Street have in common? Apparently nothing at all, according to the zoning board.

Last month, the board voted to deny a use variance filed by the Scherzers that would allow them to turn what was once their antique shop on South Main Street into a daytime dog-sitting business and related gift store.

The board's 5-2 rejection of the Scherzers' application came as a relief to some residents living nearby, while others - including local business proprietors - were disappointed that a "viable and needed business" was barred from joining the dwindling business community on Main Street."Our biggest disappointment is that several of our neighbors who said they supported us came out against us at the meeting," Pam Scherzer said during a phone interview the day after the meeting. "What was surprising to me is that two months ago when I initially went to the township to see if I could pursue this, I was given the thumbs up."

The 4,300-square-foot historic property on South Main Street is zoned as residential home occupation and has served as their home as well as the site of Scherzer Antiques and Flowers up until recently, when they closed the store in anticipation of their new business venture.

After postponing the Scherzers' application from June's meeting due to time constraints, the board listened for nearly an hour at last month's meeting as the Scherzers and their attorney, Patrick McAndrew, detailed aspects of the projected business plan for Animal House Pet Day Care and Gifts.

"We would provide what is referred to as a cage-free environment so that dogs of particular temperaments, size, age and energy level could play together,"Pam explained during the meeting. "Basically they will get cuddled, played with, have balls tossed for them. Dogs that get along together will play together.

"I am providing a living room environment so they will have what they are used to at home including sofas, Animal Planet (TV channel) and music."

By outlining a proposed client enrollment agreement, the Scherzers attempted to pre-emptively qualm their neighbor's most likely concerns ranging from the viability of parking and pet drop off procedures to sanitation and noise issues.According to their testimony, the Scherzers had planned to accommodate a maximum of anywhere from 15 to 20 dogs in indoor pens from the hours of 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. seven days a week utilizing roughly 1,300-square-feet of their commercial space.

The remaining 440-square-feet of the building';s commercial area was planned for "higher end pet accessories," including collars and dog-related gifts.

"It's not 20 dogs, 13 hours a day; that day of 13 hours is a window the dogs will come and go," McAndrew explained.

Scherzer explained that dogs would only be taken outside two or three at a time to an enclosed area behind their house in order to relieve themselves.

In addition to cleaning up after the dogs herself, she presented a contract for a specialty pet waste removal service she would employ to clean and deodorize as needed each week, assuring the board that she was prepared to abide by any health code regulations set by the county.

Still many residents weren't convinced and after nearly an hour of presentation, the floor was turned over to the public.

For over an hour, several neighbors from Main and Trimble streets voiced concerns over odor and noise issues in addition to traffic problems that may arise.

"My main concern is the barking," Lillian Butler of South Main Street said. "Who is going to stop these dogs from barking when the fire engine goes by, people go by or someone comes in the store to make a purchase. How can that all be controlled?

"Dogs do bark - I don't care what she says to make them stop - and one will set off another. These aren't dogs that she knows - they are going to be someone else's dogs."

Butler also wasn't convinced that the enrollment agreement signed by clients would discourage them from breaking traffic laws.

"It's a historical village. I see nothing where this adds to the village setting and what about the traffic?" she continued. "They (clients) sign a contract that they aren't going to make an illegal U-turn on Main Street. Who is going to enforce that?"

Numerous other residents from the area followed suit expressing similar concerns.

However, a handful of residents and several Medford business owners did speak out in support of Scherzers and their application.

"The concern we have today is that there are a lot of empty stores and the vital part of that village that gives us uniqueness has started to erode. We need new businesses that can function and be valuable to the community," said Marvin Coe, owner of the Photo Loft and President of the Historic Medford Village Association. "For Mark and Pam, they have invested in the village and this is part of their livelihood. I would really like to see us try to help them out because this is for the good of every body and this is a viable business that could help our neighborhood."

Before motioning to deny the application, board member Joseph Kerseztury addressed the Scherzers, applauding them on their commitment to the restoration of the house and the business community of Medford.

"The first time I met you is when you decided to take that old dilapidated grocery store and make something out of it. I was on the Historic Advisory Board then and we were just thrilled you came in and loved what you did," he said. "I think that the proposed use that you have in Medford is a great idea but I can't reconcile the two on the same property."

As of now, Pam Scherzer said that they do not have immediate plans for the building and sees no point in continuing extensive renovations.

"We were hopeful the board would see the value of this," she said. "We don't plan to pursue the day care any further because it would just be too costly. Long term - we're not sure. We may just rent out the entire building. It is difficult to know that we are living near neighbors that are hostile toward us."