By Megan CrepeauThe Daily Northwestern
After failing to win a seat on the City Council, former aldermanic candidate Judy Fiske set her sights on helping some of Evanston’s smallest residents: dogs, cats, birds and rabbits.
Fit + Frisky, 1016 Davis St., is Fiske’s newest venture. The pet supply store sells foods, toys and pet accessories that follow Fiske’s “organic, holistic” approach to animal care.
“We’re trying to provide really healthy, high-quality food,” she said. “Hopefully your animal will live a longer, more active and healthier life.”
Fiske made waves in 2005 after her failed bid for the First Ward seat on the Evanston City Council, when she filed suit against Northwestern and the winner, Ald. Cheryl Wollin (1st). Fiske claimed that Northwestern unfairly skewed the vote for Wollin, who won the election by a slim margin, by throwing parties and offering housing points to students who voted.
Fiske wanted the ballots cast at Alice Millar Chapel to be discounted, giving her the victory over Wollin. The lawsuit was dismissed in August 2006.
Since then, Fiske has been active in the community, volunteering at animal shelters and supporting the preservationist group Friends of the Civic Center. Fit + Frisky opened in April after four months of renovation at the property, which was formerly owned by Focus Development.
Fiske and her partners, including her husband Jonathan, are new to the business. But things are going well, said Jonathan, who gave the credit for the success to Judy.
“This is Judy’s design,” he said. “She’s the chief buyer.”
The brightly lit store is fully stocked with supplies ranging from organic pet food made from human-grade materials to chew toys made from recycled soda bottles, and biodegradable “poo bags.”
Patrons can wash their dogs in a back room after a day at the beach. For $15 they can use towels, soap, dryers and a Canadian dog bath that Fiske particularly likes. Employees will clean up the mess afterward for no extra charge.
The newly minted shopkeeper said she has her eye on another aldermanic run when the next election comes around. Fiske said she’s dissatisfied with how the council is running Evanston.
“I think Ald. Wollin clearly does not understand the First Ward,” she said. “Basically, it’s that she doesn’t understand her constituents’ needs.”
Fiske said the current council is unnecessarily secretive and stubborn, especially in its approval of “inappropriate” developments, such as projects at Sherman Avenue and Church Street, at the expense of small businesses.
“It’s unfortunate that the election in 2005 happened the way it did,” she said. “That one seat on the City Council would have made a huge difference.”
Wollin declined to comment on the issue, saying the issue is too personal to discuss.
“I wish her all the best, that’s all I can say,” she said.
Fiske said that unless the City Council has an “epiphany” soon and changes its ways, she will run for alderman again.
“I’m going to run for alderman. I’m going to feed a whole lot of little animals in Evanston,” she said. “We’ll see what the next couple of years brings.”
Reach Megan Crepeau at [email protected].
