The Town of Amherstburg held a meeting for business owners last week with two hot topics on the agenda.
The meeting, held in an open house format, was last Wednesday afternoon at Flow Café & Bikes on Dalhousie St. Business owners and employees got to question town administration and council members on both issues as displays were set up around the store.
Jen and Justin DeLuca from the Waterfront Ice Cream Parlour had questions on both issues. Jen said the meeting was an opportunity to voice concerns on the issues.
“It’s nice to have the opportunity to be here,” she said.
The DeLucas were not in favour of the proposed business licensing schedule, questioning why there had to be one at all.
“It feels like a bit of an overreach,” said Jen.
Justin added some businesses won’t be charged anything at all, and wondered how the schedule of proposed rates was devised.
“How do they set the rates?” he asked.
Jen added they also wanted to support businesses who are negatively impacted due to Open Air Weekends. They were hoping to see changes be made.
“It definitely needs to be tweaked,” added Justin.
Carolyn O’Brien from The Barber Shop said she strongly believes the town needs to find the “best compromise” for all businesses to excel, whether they are new or established businesses. She suggested reducing hours to Saturday evening and all day Sunday instead of the current three-day format or having it one weekend per month.
“All we’ve ever tried to get is a fair compromise,” added Kim Cote from Lavender Hair Lounge regarding Open Air.
Cote said Open Air isn’t busy during the day and wondered if the event could be adjusted because of that.
“During the day it’s a ghost town,” she said.
Meg Boschin from Caffeine & Co. attended the meeting and commented on the Open Air issue. She said she didn’t understand why the event doesn’t utilize other public spaces such as parks, nearby parking lots and along the waterfront.
“I don’t think the roads needs to be closed,” said Boschin.
Musicland owner Bethany D’Alimonte was at the meeting for both issues. She was supportive of Open Air Weekends but not for business licensing.
“I’m here to give support to Open Air and the tourism department,” she said.
“They are in dire need of positive feedback.”
D’Alimonte noted she has spoken favourably about Open Air Weekends in the past and the event has dramatically increased sales for her.
“I love Open Air,” she said. “It’s great for our business. We would not survive without it.”
D’Alimonte said she understands the event doesn’t appeal to everyone but believed it is also great for community engagement.
The issue of possible business licensing was a negative for D’Alimonte. She believed her business and others already face a lot of expenses.
“Adding another one seems like a money grab,” she said.
Musicland did purchase a business license, D’Alimonte added, but had to do so again after the initial one mistakenly identified her as the owner of Vivace Estate Winery.
“Asking for more money now is not a great look,” she said.
Carolyn Davies, co-owner of The Bondy House Bed and Breakfast, was wholeheartedly in favour of Open Air Weekends.
“The streets closing down brings sheer joy,” Davies said.
People can come together, meet up with people they haven’t seen in a while, enjoy entertainment and support local businesses. Such events are positive for people’s mental health, Davies added.
Reducing or altering the schedule wasn’t something Davies said she wanted to see. People need to know when the event is and not have to guess if it is on or not.
“It needs to be consistent,” she said.
Open Air has been reduced already, Davies added, as it now stops on Labour Day weekend. Davies said she would rather see it last through the weekend where the Uncommon Festival is held.
“This provides businesses the padding for the slow time in the winter months,” she added.
Davies encouraged businesses to “think outside the box” and come up with promotions that would draw people to their businesses. She said other events could be added or extended such as increased pickleball lessons or offering such things as tai chi, square dancing or other events.
Guests at her bed and breakfast often compliment the town and some end up purchasing homes in Amherstburg, she added.
Laurie Ure from Ure’s Country Kitchen attended to get more information on the business licensing issue. She said she wanted to be proactive as it could impact her business in Malden Centre.
“Originally, I was going to have to pay for four (licenses),” she said.
After town administration streamlined the categories, Ure said that number was reduced to one.
“That made more sense to me,” she said. “I’m not as concerned as I was in March. One I can handle.”
Ure added there are a number of inspections they have to go through already.
“I understand what the town is trying to do but I also understand businesses not wanting to pay more money,” she said.
Speck’s Restaurant owner Sarah Brush spoke with town officials about the proposed business licensing. She appeared before council in the spring and council would eventually suspend the program pending public consultation and refund money the town had collected to date.
Brush said she is still not in favour of the town proceeding with business licensing.
“It’s still a concern of mine,” she said.
Speck’s is inspected by a number of different agencies, Brush added.
“They do a good job,” she said of the agencies that inspect them.
Brush stated she spends over $1,000 on inspections and fees on an annual basis to a number of different agencies as it is, and doesn’t believe more fees are necessary.
“I just think it’s redundant,” she said. “I think we pay so much every year to have our business open. To have these business licenses is not necessary because we’re already doing a lot of this.”
Brush added she remains opposed to business licensing proposal and urged council to listen to the business community.
“I think council should really listen to the people and the businesses that make up the business community,” she said. “They should listen to what we’re saying.”
The Town of Amherstburg has cited reasons for business licenses including consumer protection, nuisance prevention, monitoring and accountability and a consistent set of rules for businesses to follow.
Meeting on Open Air, potential business licensing produces mixed opinions
By Ron Giofu
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