by Tess Reiss Just opened, Pam’s Frame Center at 2974 N. Fratney (& Chambers Street). The shop offers a full range of frames, prints, posters, gifts, and accessories. Frames can be made to order, with same day service if you’re in a hurry. Pam McFarland, previously located on Brown Deer Road, is friendly and knowledgeable with over 28 years in the business. Stop in to welcome Pam to the neighborhood (she lives there too) and check out the Grand Opening special featuring 30% to 50% off custom and pre-made frames. Open Monday-Saturday, 10AM-6PM, 264-2801. The long-awaited opening of the Riverwest Co-op Cafe will happen in early October. Newly married chef Heidi (Auer) Stein has been testing out vegan and vegetarian recipes. The menu will feature sandwiches, a soup of the day, grain of the day, bakery, and smoothies all prepared with organic and local ingredients. A Grand Opening is planned for November, in time for the Co-op’s 3rd Anniversary and the building’s 100th Anniversary. Coming soon to Center Street: everything you need to steam up your bathroom or bedroom. Mia Putia (Sicilian for “My Shop”) will feature homemade and imported soaps, organic essential oils, natural incense, cloth diapers, and natural baby products at 833 E. Center (& Bremen Street). The Tool Shed will be opening in mid-November at 804 E. Center. The bodacious shop will feature sex toys for women and men, products, and erotica – just in time for everyone on your holiday gift list, who’s naughty or nice . FOR SALE — Service Station 2477 N. Holton (& Wright) Here’s something you don’t often see – a property selling for its assessed value, in this case $45,000. Built in 1923, the one story building is 1115 square feet on a 4000 square foot lot. Shorewest is offering a package deal with the 3BR cottage next door at 421 E. Wright. More info at shorewest.com. More Center Street news: When the Car Wash at 632 E. Center (&Pierce Street) closed, an auto repair and auto sale business started up without proper permits from the city. However, after neighbors complained, it was closed, pending approval by the Board of Zoning Appeal for a “special use” of the premise. Some neighbors are expressing a desire for something better, especially since there already is an auto repair shop across the street. Residents who wish to comment on the proposed plan may submit a letter to BOZA, 809 N. Broadway, 53202 and/or Ald. Mike D’Amato, 200 E. Wells St., 53202. If an application were made to BOZA for such a use, neighbors would be notified of the date for a public hearing. Further complicating matters, the city’s web indicates there are environmental issues with underground storage tanks left over from a former gas station operation; and the city may foreclose on the property for $28,000 in tax arrears dating back to 1991. It should be noted that tax delinquency is common among owners of properties with contamination issues. FOR SALE — 800 E. Locust (& Fratney) This was formerly the home of Funky Art World — and Vinyl Locust before that. Built in 1910, the building is 2377 square feet on a 5400-square-foot lot with a sizeable parking lot on the east side of building — a rarity in Riverwest. It has a two-bedroom apartment on the second floor and a studio/loft on the third floor. Unlike the one on Holton Street, the city’s assessed value is $62,000 but the asking price is $250,000. To make an offer, call 414/964-5666.