New bylaw could force some Halifax convenience stores to close earlier
At Michael Habib's Jubilee Junction Convenience Store in Halifax, he likes to put the emphasis on the word "convenience."
“We are open from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m.," said Habib. "On the weekends it extends until about 2:30 a.m.”
University students come to the intersection of Jubilee Road and Preston Street in large numbers on weekend nights.
At the AAA Convenience store across the street, owner John Amyoony sells a lot of pizza on weekends between midnight and 3 a.m.
“I say around 800,” said Amyoony.
Dakota McCormick is a regular AAA customer.
“I come through here late, like at 11 or 12 at night," said McCormick. "It’s one of the few places that are open that is a walkable distance.”
However, that convenience could change.
Halifax Regional Council recently approved the first reading of a new bylaw that would force some convenience stores to close at 11 p.m.
According to Coun. Waye Mason, it's in response to growing late night crowds at the intersection, especially at a recent unofficial university homecoming celebrations.
“More and more students, instead of going to Pizza Corner downtown, are migrating to this intersection in this residential neighbourhood,” said Mason.
Mason said convenience stores were never supposed to be allowed to serve hot food and be open late.
Habib called the bylaw unfair.
“This is not democratic in any way possible,” said Habib, who also pointed out students are only around for roughly seven months.
“We serve the community for 12 months of the year and as it gets colder, the students disappear, and they are not out," said Habib. "So, we are being punished 365 days.”
Neighbourhood resident Sophia Horwitz would like to see the city pursue an option that doesn’t punish business owners.
“I feel like there has got to be a better solution other than closing small businesses," said Horwitz.
Both Halifax stores have started petitions against the bylaw, with hundreds of signatures.
Mason said council will further debate the bylaw later in the fall.
“Because clearly people want more information and we are going to do that process,” said Mason.
If passed, Habib fears the new bylaw could destroy his business.
“They are actually killing my future,” said Habib.
And it could possibly crush Amyoony's bottom line.
“More than half," said Amyoony. "My sales will go down to half.”
The business owners say the change could threaten the overall viability of their businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Asking rent prices up 9.3% across Canada, Ontario sees only decline: report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Dashcam video shows terrifying near-miss on two-lane northern Ontario highway
There were some scary moments for several people on a northern Ontario highway caught on video Thursday after a chain reaction following a truck fire.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canada's longstanding blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma was harmful and discriminatory, Canadian Blood Services acknowledged on Friday, in issuing an apology to the LGBTQ2S+ community.