Council Supports Application for Martini Bar

Monday, July 21, 2008 07:59 PM

Prince George, B.C. – Expect to see a new martini/wine bar that would seat a maximum 50 patrons in the College Heights area, but there are some "ifs" with the application for a liquor retail outlet.

The idea was to move the operating licenses from the Rafters Pub to a new, as yet to be built facility, on the west end of West Gate.

The Liquor Licensing Control Branch has rejected the application for a liquor store at this site as there is another application before the Board that calls for a liquor store within 500 meters of this one. However, Planning Department's Grant Bain says the other application has yet to come before Council for rezoning so it is possible that application may not meet the approval of City Hall. He reccommended Council support the liquor store and martini bar applications that are before it now as there are on going discussions between this applicant and the Liquor Licensing Control Branch.

Bert Hick of Rising Tide Consultants addressed Council on behalf of the applicant. He says in this case, the Rafter's pub license is still valid and in good standing "But it is dormant".

He says this application is really no different than the shifting of the liquor store license from the Pumphouse Pub to the River Point Plaza at 16th and Ferry. He says they are only asking for two things, rezone the property to allow for a liquor store, and to allow the shift of the license from Rafter's Pub to the new site. He says the Licensing Branch has not accepted the argument that this is the only site in Prince George that is appropriate for a new liquor store. He says his clients will make another application if need be, but he requested the City approve the rezoning to allow the eventual construction of a liquor store.

The application would also reduce the hours of operation approved for the existing license.

The hours would change from:

• 11 am to Midnight Sunday to Thursday and

• 11 am to 1am Friday and Saturday

To:

• 2pm to 10 pm Sunday through Saturday

Councillor Glenn Scott wanted the item deferred for a couple of weeks saying he needed more information. Although he opposed it, his Council colleagues, Councilors Sethen, Skakun, Krause, Gratton, and acting Mayor Don Zurowski all supported the move.

Council will also be record as supporting the transfer of the license change.

The final decision is now up to the Liquor Licensing Control Branch.

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Posted on Monday, July 21, 2008 07:59 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: Harbinger on July 21 2008 11:01 PM

Bravo city council!! Now I have a place to drink cheap plonk instead of sitting on the bus stop curb at Westgate savouring the bouquet of my Okanagan wine in a brown paper bag. Keep up the good work!

Posted by: govsux on July 22 2008 5:40 AM

Moose opposed the Rafters development also, Is the CHP one of his clients? I've seen him hanging out there.

Posted by: metalman on July 22 2008 10:25 AM

A low comment govs. DOesn't council just rubber stamp these things anyway? Sure seems like it. A martini/wine bar, is that to keep the unwashed beer drinkers away? A higher class of clientele perhaps?
metalman.

Posted by: HD on July 22 2008 1:12 PM

Great.
Another place to get drunk.
That's all we need.

How about some more casinos to get people hooked on gambling.

PG -----> Prime Gambling.

Posted by: Death to Socialism on July 22 2008 1:29 PM

Be nice to have some upscale bars in the Pig. We have enough downscale ones.

Posted by: MK on July 22 2008 9:54 PM

I'll admit that PG has enough places to buy alcohol. But when you look at what makes a vibrant shopping mall, I think you want as much variety while still maintaining a certain level of class. Bringing some variety to the mall might bring more people into the stores. Afterall, how many shoe stores can you shop at.....LOL.

I sort of like the idea of the reduced hours. Closing at 10PM sounds good because if a person wants to get drunk they can get in a cab and head to a night club.

But I'm not sure I get the 2PM opening. Is the City going to restrict this business from making a decent profit. Is there that many people that want a drink at 3PM? I'm sure lunch time would be a good time to be open.

Posted by: govsux on July 23 2008 8:16 AM

Anyone know why no family restaurants have gone up at the wal mart centre? Milestones, Kelsey's, Montana's, Swiss Chalet, Olive Garden, Tony Roma's, Cactus Club, even a nice independent place with a patio. Wish i could take the little ones to CHP.