Decision to sell booze in corner stores depends on people's choice

BY NADINE ARMSTRONG

The Hants Journal

NovaNewsNow.com

Come Aug. 18, two historically dry regions in West Hants may get a chance to 'wet' their appetites for convenient liquor sales. A plebiscite held that day will determine whether or not residents want to see spirits sold at their local corner stores.

The resolution to hold the plebiscite was passed by West Hants Municipal Council May 8, 2007 after receiving a request from The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation. The letter from NSLC to council stated that the corporation had “recently conducted a Request for Proposals for new agency store locations throughout Nova Scotia.” The two West Hants areas under consideration by the corporation were Ellershouse and Brooklyn.

Because the two are designated as 'dry', the decision was put to council to approve the vote. “A plebiscite will be required to determine the wishes of residents, and if they vote to change that status we will then be able to issue a permit that would allow the agency to operate,” wrote NSLC Corporate Secretary Greg Beaulieu. Council gave the thumbs-up.



Ready to get with the times

That was music to storeowner Anne Tracey's ears. She and husband Grant have run the Kwik-Way in Ellershouse for the past 25 years and she says they've been ready to get with the times since they first applied to sell liquor more than a year ago.

That first application was turned down; this time it was approved. “Nova Scotia is the only province in North America where a person can't go to the corner store and pick up a six-pack,” Tracey said. She doesn't drink, but sees no reason not to provide alcoholic beverages in her store for the convenience of local consumers.

“I think the Liquor Corporation is realizing there’s a demand for sales in small stores; there is definitely an interest in our area.”

And she would know. Residents have been asking for the service for years and appear to be excited at the impending prospect. “They're always coming in asking where and when they can vote, and how many people they can bring with them,” she laughed.

Tracey said there have been some concerns expressed and one or two that are downright opposed to the plan, but she isn't letting that hold her back. “It's a good business venture and it’s what people want,” she said.

Some residents told her they were worried there would be drunks hanging around the store or underage youth trying to buy liquor. “I just tell everyone, I've been here for too long to let that happen. I've known the local kids since they were born; no way can they buy underage. I'll set them straight on that.” If all goes well on voting day, she hopes to start stacking bottles by the middle of September.



Costly investment

However, obtaining a license is no mean feat, as Pat and Gary McLean learned. They own the Petro-Can in Brooklyn and said plebiscite or no, the application is a lengthy and costly procedure. They applied last fall and were confirmed the first week of February 2007. “They post the contract and then we have to put in a bid.” Pat said representatives from the corporation visited the site three times to determine if it was suitable as an agency store.

Even considering they get the vote to go ahead, Pat says it’s an expensive investment. “It will tie up a lot of money in renovations,” she said. They plan to build a walk-in cooler in one of the present garage bays.

Expense aside, she says it’s quite a step forward. “It's a prime-one convenience for people in the area,” Pat said. She hopes that instead of bypassing Brooklyn, more consumers will take the loop and see what else the village has on offer.

“Between the post office, dollar store, Home Hardware, Credit Union and rink, we're becoming a one-stop destination.” She said going from a dry to wet region could open the door for licensed restaurants in the area as well.

Gary Mclean said residents aren’t the only ones who will benefit from local liquor sales. Having a provincial campground right on their doorstep means they can stop saying 'no' to tourists who come in looking to buy a pint. He said it’s about a 25km round trip jaunt into town and it’s time to give residents a choice. “We've got to get with modern times. There's not the mindset there was 30-40 years ago.”

Their proximity to the West Hants Middle School doesn't concern them. “We sell cigarettes and lottery tickets so staff are well trained to look out for minors.” Also, because they're constructing a separate unit to hold the liquor, Gary said it wouldn’t be on display to children and youth.

Their only concern now is the vote. “The people that don't want it will definitely turn out, but we want those that support it to come out too,” Gary said. “It's up to the public now. If they want it, they've got to vote for it.”

There’s some concern that many of the residents who stop in to buy the beverages actually live outside village boundaries. But unless a resident receives a yellow electoral card in the mail, they won't be eligible to vote no matter how convenient their local store is.