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
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.