Bonnet Hill Pub Losing Its Liquor Store Tenant

Monday, April 16, 2007 07:45 PM

By a vote of 6-2, Prince George City Council has given third reading to a rezoning application that would allow a liquor store at the Eastway Esso Service Station at 3050 Boeing Road.

At a public hearing this evening, councillors heard from Lee Sexsmith who plans to transfer his retail liquor licence from the basement of the Bonnet Hill Pub to the Eastway Esso. Sexsmith says he’s hopeful the move will lead to a boost in business both for his liquor outlet and service station owner, Patel Chandrakant.

Bonnet Hill Pub owners, Bob and Judy Edson, were on-hand for the public hearing and spoke out against the rezoning application. The Edsons bought the pub from Mr. Sexsmith two years ago and admitted that they knew there was the potential for their tenant to leave the building. But Judy Edson urged councillors to turn down the request, saying it would leave a void that would be difficult to fill given that the Liquor Control and Licencing Branch (LCLB) is not handing out any new licences at the time.

In voting in favour of the application, Councillor Brian Skakun said while he empathized with the Edsons, he could not deny support on a land-use issue to protect an existing business. Councillors Sherry Sethen and Glen Scott opposed.

The LCLB granted Sexsmith pre-clearance approval for the licence transfer with final approval pending council’s decision.

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Posted on Monday, April 16, 2007 07:45 PM in News by 250 News

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Comments

Posted by: camoose on April 16 2007 11:13 PM

Is Mr. "Smokey" Sexsmith going to allow smoking in his new liquor store? Just wondering.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on April 17 2007 7:28 AM

Why did two councillors vote against the rezoning? Maybe they don't like the people at Eastway? Or just making "Smokey" unwelcome in this town. HeeHee! Looks like a personal problem.

Posted by: ammonra on April 17 2007 8:20 AM

Fill up with gas, and grab a six pack! The convenience store approach to driving!

Posted by: Chadermando on April 17 2007 11:13 AM

The Edsons should be granted another liquor licence for their pub IMO. Subsidizing liquor stores with special licenses is not serving its original intention.

Posted by: diplomat on April 17 2007 12:17 PM

Not knowing that the Bonnet Hill Pub had changed owners I was at a loss to explain why the food and service were now as excellent as I found them to be during a couple of recent visits there.

Posted by: metalman on April 17 2007 1:21 PM

Free enterprise.
metalman.

Posted by: snappi on April 17 2007 3:12 PM

I agree with you Chadermando. The Edsons have worked hard to bring in repeat customers and the food is great! And when you go in for dinner you are treated well. I think they have worked hard to get their business off the ground and they should beable to aquire a license as it is an existing liquor store.

Posted by: Palopu on April 17 2007 8:40 PM

Did you notice how fast someone got a liquor license at the 10th Avenue Liquor Store. Seems to me it opened up a week after the Government moved out.

Posted by: YamaDooPolCat on April 17 2007 11:02 PM

I don't get it? What's different about this particular liquor store? Liquor stores are a retail business, and being handy for drunks is not a great retail idea. If it was, the new BC Government Liquor store would have been located on George Street and not at the Pine Center Mall.

Posted by: Mcfly on April 18 2007 2:57 PM

If the new pub owners wanted to insure the liquor store stayed there, then they should have purchased that to...or else it only seems fair that a tenant can move if they wish to.

They still have the pub, and should concentrate on that now.