It is now legal in Ontario for a business, whose primary focus is not to serve alcohol, to get a liquor licence for their business. Hence, the owner of a Stoney Creek Spa/Salon for men, applied for her liquor licence, which would allow her to provide her customers the option of a drink while her customers are at the spa/salon. (see Spec write up here)
Municipal departments are asked to comment on these types of applications. In that vein, Public Health, building and fire officials have all given the Salon/Spa's application a thumbs up.
However, Stoney Creek Ward 10 Councillor Maria Pearson spearheaded a motion to object to the application. Pearson argued that the application would have a negative impact on the surrounding community, and that the salon does not have enough parking or adequate sound barriers and security.
The owner of the Spa/Salon is looking to operate a small locked mini bar, for the exclusive use of her customers and as a option to them. Do you think the Councillor is over reacting? Will the addition of a mini bar warrant additional parking, sound barriers and security? Are we putting up unnecessary barriers to small business people?
This is a "Made in Hamilton" obstruction. The Counselor is way out of line and out of touch with the world of business. This is a harmless request. I doubt their if s= going to be rioting in the parking lot and a line up for the bar fridge. Come on, get real!
ReplyDeleteCome on!
Must have been a slow week for Ward 10.
ReplyDeleteThis is clearly a publicity stunt, intended to goose up opening weekend box office for the Footloose remake.
ReplyDeleteI'm not one of those "throw the bums out" people, but I think this councilor had her day. She is snippy to her community in the Stoney Creek News and I have been surprised on her position on things. This is a good example.
ReplyDeleteWard 10 Resident
Anyone who wants to get loaded, would not go to a spa. They'd go to a bar.
ReplyDeleteThis is sillyness
Welcome to Hamilton- Open for Business, if you could take the abuse.
ReplyDeleteThis is a completely ridiculous over-reaction. I'd be interested if the Hamiltonian would post the names of councillors who voted with Pearson to block this reasonble request. If mine did (and I can't imagine she would have - I would certainly write her.)
ReplyDeleteA glass of wine would be a small value added part of the spa experience for some customers and not others.
Welcome to Hamilton, Where business comes to die.
ReplyDeleteSilly motion and silly support for it. If I was the business owner, I'd be furious. Like someone else said on here, this will not create havoc. I am very dissapointed that my councillor did not object to this. Especially since he says he is business minded. Obviously not.
ReplyDeleteHere's the original article from last week:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.thespec.com/news/local/article/595803--battle-brewing-over-would-be-licensed-hair-studio
I probably would not have a beer at a salon/spa, but maybe a glass of red wine would be relaxing. I don't think anyone would go there to get drunk. I think this decision was wrong. I hope they reverse it. There are bigger things to worry about and I think this was bad judgment.
ReplyDeleteSevern
They should get more security for sure. What if someone broke the window and picked the lock and stole a beer? Yep and add more parking because I am sure if word got out that there is a bar fridge in the creek, Hess Village would have some serious competition. And the sound of that door opening and closing, wow, that would be much. Or is she referring to the crowd of people who would spill into the parking lot after a shave and a brew?
ReplyDeleteRidiculous.
Mr. Sarc
Kudos to the businesswoman. She was paying attention and saw an opportunity to enhance her business. You can't blame her. I think the city's policy on this is very retrograde. It won't be long till Toronto starts doing this and Hamilton will be followers like always.
ReplyDeleteAlcohol at a Spa, Alcohol at Ferris Park Bocce Courts, what is this world comming to. Why then instill the "No Drinking and Driving" Law? Just let everyone get hammered. Maybe Hamilton will live up to its name and be called "HAMMERED, ON". How sad that alcohol plays such an important part in our lives.
ReplyDeleteLook at it logically ( and I read the two spec pieces and the motion).
ReplyDeleteA) Does a business in Hamilton HAVE to offer parking? I honestly don't know the answer, but it seems to me that many businesses do not have parking. It also seems to me that if parking is full, people can park other places in the vicinity that are legal spots.
2) What is this businesswoman hung a sign that said "free haircuts with every shave". And what if this generated a lot more new business? Would the councillor bring a motion to stop it?
Something fishy is going on here, in the sense, that it doesn't make sense. If anything, we should applaud this Spa woman for being the first one out with this idea.
Sorce
I bought a wag jg coupon and went to this place. It is a nice little business run by a mom and daughter. It is very clean and friendly and nothing untoward about it. I can see being offered a drink with a spa treatment. It would fit perfectly and I doubt anyone would see it as anything more than a nicety. The Ward councilor has a mis-read on this and it blowing it way out of proportion. She should be supporting these places not trying to get in the way. And what about the other 15 councilors? What were they thinking?
ReplyDeleteWonder what election sign this spa owner had up during the last municiple election?
ReplyDelete