Road Cleared for Wholesale Sports
Monday, May 6, 2013 @ 7:43 PM
Prince George, B.C.- Wholesale Sports wants to come to Prince George, and Prince George City Council has thrown out the welcome mat. Council has approved 3rd reading to a zoning amendment to put the gears in motion.
At issue is the site chosen by Wholesale Sports. It wants to set up its operation in the Redwood Square, where the adult store “Shagg” is located.
The plan is to add more space to the Redwood Square in order to accommodate Wholesale Sports. In order to make this happen, Redwood Square will have to be vacant, and that means the adult romance enhancing store “Shagg” would have to move.
So, the operators of Shagg want to move to the Gateway, into the mall at the corner of 20th and Victoria. That change requires a text amendment to the zoning. The zoning required is C6, and that zoning exists at several sites to the west, north and south of the preferred location.
While the application before Council was accompanied by several letters of support, there was opposition expressed by the Gateway Business Improvement Area, and Ava Maria.
Speaking against the application, Ken LeBoe says while there is demand for this kind of store, it doesn’t not belong in the Gateway. He says the Gateway is a business improvement area “and the operative word is improvement and this doesn’t constitute an improvement”. He says the store would have a negative impact on the Gateway area.
Chair of the Gateway BIA, John Enemark, asked, “If we hadn’t stepped up and made the improvements, would this business even be applying to move into the area?” He says adding this business to the Gateway would not enhance the neighbourhood because of the number of school children who would be passing this business every day. “We’re talking about an absentee landlord (of the proposed new location) who is looking to make rent.”
Helen Serazin lives in the neighbourhood where the store would be located. “Anyone with common sense would see this is the wrong location for this type of store.” She said many seniors live in the area and in her mind “maybe grandpa would be interested in this kind of store, but grandma sure isn’t” She said the area has had a lot to deal with and they have worked hard to try and clean up the Victoria/20th area.
Councillor Brian Skakun says with C6 zoning in adjacent properties, Shagg could have set up just meters away if there was a vacancy, but there isn’t and so Shagg needs a text amendment to allow it to open in the space that used to be occupied by a Japanese restaurant.
In speaking in support of the application, councillor Murry Krause says this kind of store attracts people from all walks of life, all social and economic levels “It is not just ‘those people’, this is a legal business and I am going to support the application.”
“To me this is like a checkers game” says Councillor Lyn Hall, “moving the pieces around to gain a real gem for Prince George, and that is Wholesale Sports.”
Wholesale Sports is hoping to be ready to open in early September, in time for hunting season.
Comments
So it is OK for a pawn shop to be in the corner complex but not “Shagg”. I think any business in that corner is an improvement over having it vacant. Would be great to see a Wholesale Sports. I’m sure that our lovely council will find a way to make sure this doesn’t happen. Anyone know why the proposed wholesale sports didn’t build across from Home Depot like they had planned?
City hall dithering would be my guess.
Along with that condo development across from the library, the extension of Ospika, the project at Marleau Rd. and Highway 16. That car lot where the Red Cedar Inn was, and on and on. Wood centre building downtown. These things take time. Right?
Seriously? The Gateway Association is against Shagg moving in? Are they that backwards minded?
Yup, another day in hick town.
It was very disappointing to see the local businesses who opposed the sex shop being totally overruled by City Council. It doesn’t seem to matter what the neighborhood thinks or wants….their opinions mean absolutely nothing to council as their minds are made up beforehand that these businesses will be bulldozed into the areas council wants.
The Gateway should be commended for the great job they have done of improving the Gateway and at their own expense…the thanks they get from City council is to dump on them because Council knows best and the neighborhood just has to live with it. The Gateway opposition had very legitimate concerns….children, seniors, property values, creating a beautiful neighborhood…..too bad council can only see $$$$$ and continues to bully their way into neighborhoods to the detriment of those neighborhoods.
City councillors were elected to represent the taxpayers, they are totally ignoring neighborhood concerns. They have given themselves absolute power to put whatever they want into whichever area they want, without neighborhood consultation when they last amended the Official Community Plan with the Policy to “Permit affordable housing and/or special needs housing, at densities Council considers appropriate in all residential areas, including rural areas” (quoted from the amended OCP).
With this amendment the City has taken away the rights from the neighborhoods and it is time citizens of Prince George took back those rights and got the recognition they deserve.
The city has been ignoring the wishes of various neighborhoods around Prince George, i.e. Miller Addition, Peden Hill, Haldi Road, Hart Highway/Valleyview…City Council seems to be picking them off one by one. Anyone who feels they have been ignored, or bullied by the City regarding rezoning decisions made by council regarding their neighborhoods should contact Haldiroad64@gmail.com and combine forces to show council that they should be representing the neighborhoods, not just the businesses.
Murray K says “It is not just those people”. My question is who are those people and would you want those people to arrive in your area? People should remember School CHILDREN will be walking past this great business who will be selling Sex objects. I guess big business takes priority and people don”t count.
Mr. Enemark and others apparently still think we’re living in 1963, not 2013.
It is quite apparent by some of these posts that a few people have no real idea what kind of clientele Shagg has. Come on grandma, bring the horse and buggy team to town and check out Shagg in person, not just your preconceived notions – you may be suprised.
And all dis har ‘lectricity n lights n stuff in da big city might just ‘prise ya too.
“Anyone know why the proposed wholesale sports didn’t build across from Home Depot like they had planned?”
My understanding is that a former mayor received a whole lot of crying and shelved the plan.
What ! Old people don’t shagg? Got news for you Gateway? The shagging starts at 69.
We have to remember that every day children walk by the homes where people actually use the products they buy at the various adult stores in PG ……
Try to remember that kids see this stuff on TV all the time. They hear it from the older kids mouths. They hear it from the young people sitting behind them at a concert or a hockey game. They hear pretty well everywhere. The parents can try to protect them from this stuff but educating them is the answer.
As for the “kind” of people this store will attract — well—do you think they are going to live in the store?? Hardly.
Enemark should maybe take a look through the neighborhood to the North of his business — it ain’t all flowers and parks is it??
I’m for letting the store move to any commercial building they want to pay for. Maybe they will also contribute to the Gateway if given the opportunity. What next? You can’t move that kind of business into Enemark’s and Leboe’s special little corner of PG?? North and south of the Gateway there are some questionable properties which don’t seem to be effecting business. Please keep in mind, this is still a free country.
Helen Serazin lives in the neighbourhood where the store would be located. âAnyone with common sense would see this is the wrong location for this type of store.â She said many seniors live in the area and in her mind âmaybe grandpa would be interested in this kind of store, but grandma sure isnâtâ
Talk about gender profiling! If I said something like that about women, I would probably get a visit from the thought police. Helen should apologise to all us Grandpas.
As a patron of Shagg, occasionally, what is wrong with me?? Upper income, middle class, white, not an internet porn cruiser, me and my wife both go in there occasionally to purchase products for ourselves. So what business wouldn’t want us, or neighbourhood, or city? This whole discussion about the type of people visiting this store is ridiculous. The store is clean, appeals and caters to a more “refined” clientele than the head shops. There is a pawn store also in that strip mall. Where was the crying when it set up? Time to grow up and become the big city we all desire Prince George to become.
Viagra was made for grandma!
awesome news on wholesale sports about time we got an outdoor store that isnt 50 – 100% overpriced. As for a new shagg location. who cares where it goes if u dont like the business dont shop there .
Good place for the customers who seek out the ladies of the night.
So about those children ……all they have to do is pull open the drawer on Moms night stand….. lol! Probably some of them wouldn’t even be here if not for Shagg stores! Wake up Leboe! Oh and what if the locals shunned your business because of the stigma of you being”used car salesman”…. seems like the pot calling the kettle names to me.
“Good place for the customers who seek out the ladies of the night. “
There are no hookers hanging out around Shagg.
My deal is John Enemark ( and I like John) states that it’s not an improvement. Well if you spend money on improvements and other businesses want to come there and be a part of it, that is a good thing.
Maybe Leboe’s, Enemarks, Sarazins and others opposed to the Shagg being relocated to a more convenient and visible location (bordering their homes) is because of fears this will move the hookers from Queensway to Victoria. Better visibility and easy access to supplies…would be a good business move. Maybe they could be role models for the children going to and from school and possibly tie in with their sex-education, possibly saving the School Board a little money. What away to generate more business Prince George City Council!! Just what we need!!! Maybe this could provide a little entertainment for the Srs. in the area also, which could boost their moral. I would think this should also boost the need for more Social Workers so it looks like a real great opportunity to enhance employment!! So, I guess City Council may see this as a win/win. Yep, the city really did the Gateway neighborhood a BIG favor last nite….a real improvement to their neighborhood!! When is City Council going to start listening to the concerns of citizens living in the area who say NO!!
I think the comment by Helen was sexist and uncalled for.
That said I do not think Shagg should be allowed to relocate further into a residential area… anything to do with sex should stay downtown IMO. I don’t think its an appropriate neighborhood business for any neighborhood. Its the broken window argument that the local improvement group is making and it is a valid proven theory to social degradation of a neighborhood.
Worried about kids walking near the store? Take better care of your kids.
Kids will see more on TV or the Internet than they will by walking by the store windows.
Are the windows of most Sex Stores blacked out? There used to be a Sex Store in Parkwood Mall, and Sanfransico that was located in the mall for many, many years had many adult novelty gifts.
Kind of an interesting place for Wholesale Sports to locate. I would not have imagined a big retailer like that setting up shop downtown.
I think the clientele of this store are ordinary people who want to add a little spice in their life, be a little more adventurous in the bedroom and really has nothing to do with the sex trade.
Those who do business with “ladies of the night” are not going to invest in sexy lingerie or toy from Shagg but are more likely to visit a drug store or even Save On Foods to buy a pack of condoms.
Agree with daisybee on questionable choice of location for Wholesale Sports, access into Redwood Square has never been that good especially off Victoria Street and the increased traffic will make things worse. Will a traffic study be part of the approval process or will it get rubber stamped because it is going downtown.
Wholesale Sports access off Victoria Street? That tourist bureau that was on the northeast side of 15th and Victoria many years ago certainly did not have room to accommodate tourists in their 40 ft. motorhmes. A lot of good thinking went into that. AND, no directional signs anywhere in town for tourists to read in order to find that bureau. Rocket science there, folks.
Ladies of the night? Gimme a break, eh. They’re called whores.
It is amazing how people react to a sex store. Most adults have sex, so whats wrong with a store which enhances the activity.
Seriously, you use the derogatory terms “whores”. I’m pretty sure all of these girls are not doing there trade because they love it. They do it to meet ends.
Thanks to Mr. Enemark and Mr. Leboe for trying to make our area a better place to live and I hope they won’t stop trying. I feel sad for the familys in the area. Its not all about sex. Sorry Grandpa.
Back on topic…..
I do know that at least one of our new local sporting good stores will price match with Wholesale Sports. Be sure to ask!
First of all, thank you to Ken and John for all of the work that you have done in the Gateway to help improve the area. This city needs more people like you that put lots of their own time and efforts into making this city a better place!! I don’t think that any person that is a part of the BIA gets the praise they deserve, and I definitely think that they should be able to express their concerns and opinions without receiving criticism for it. Second, I really don’t think that that location is a great move for that business. There is a fine line in this city where individuals feel comfortable to walk around, and this location is borderline. Also, this corner does not have any protection from the eyes of passerbys. For most consumers, shopping for intimates is very private and this location does not have any privacy.
Again, thank you to Mr. Leboe and Mr. Enemark.
Anyone who has been in shagg.. knows what kind of clients go there..Its not a greasy smutt store. The only reason why shagg is getting negative attention here is becuase it happens to be in ground zero of skid row.
you nailed it northman – the negative nellies have a preconceived notion of Shagg and have never been near the place.
Here’s another angle – maybe the gateway is now too nice for a noisy ‘ol muffler shop to be in ;)
This thread almost has me falling off my chair laughing!
A few random comments:
– A major retailer that will be great for the city is looking to move DOWNTOWN. Roll out the red carpet and do whatever it takes to welcome them.
– The Gateway is not some isolated pocket of commercial in the middle of a neighbourhood. For all intents and purposes, it is an extension of the downtown core. Heck, it is bordered by the primary street in downtown PG (Victoria) and it’s a 10-15 minute walk from the busiest intersection in Northern BC (16 and 97).
– The current location of Shagg is what, a 5 minute walk from the new proposed location? If it was such a bad influence on the neighbourhood, you’d already see it.
– By the time your children get to the age where they understand what is in Shagg, they will have seen it on the Internet. Not saying that’s right, but that’s the reality. Parent your children properly and it won’t matter.
I can’t honestly believe that this issue is even up for debate in PG in 2013, LOL!!!!!!
What next, ban all people from neighbourhoods that don’t look, talk or dress like the others? Maybe there could be a bylaw only allowing so many ethnic restaurants, except Chinese of course. PG loves their Chow Mein!
Whores a derogitory term? How about prostitute? Trollop? Hooker? What’s in a word, eh? Must get me one of them thesaurus kinda books and I could go on for a loooonger paragraph. A rose is a rose is a rose. A cigar is a good smoke.
I can see it now, vibrators set up to look like wind chimes, (batteries included) hanging from the eves over the sidewalk buzzing away during business hours. Helium filled condoms with faces painted on them floating above the roof. Flavored KY Gel treats handed out to all passersby.
I think Wholesale Sports should incorporate Shagg into their location. They could employ an Austin Powers look alike to walk around asking “Do I make you horny baby, do I?”
Machine gun jubblies…..? How did i miss those baby..?
What a town, eh?
I commend the Business people in P.G who live here and contribute to our City. It’s the people who live some where else and use P.G. as an investment and could care less about our City or the people in it. Its not that the Shagg is a good store or a bad store ,or who wants to go in it, its the location. If you can’t beat them you might as well join them I hope the Shagg store will try to do their part to try to contribute to the area and do their best to make our area a better place to live.
NMG: “I can’t honestly believe that this issue is even up for debate in PG in 2013, LOL!!!!!! “
I can. We are so small town.
They teach kids how to put condoms on wooden penis’s in grade six! Sex is here to stay people so get over it. Maybe Leboe should change his name to libido and put a TOY in every Toyota!
Isn’t Sex a sport! Shagg wholesale Sporting House supplies coming to a neighbourhood near you!
NOWay I can not believe your comment was allowed on this site.
NoWay, Mr. Leboe doesn’t even sell Toyotas in Prince George anymore. And what a rude comment…
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