Redneck Concessions wants to set up shop beside the ice cream parlour in Battleford. (Google Maps)

By Tyler Marr

OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Town approves new business, contests proposed tax incentive, name

Apr 17, 2019 | 5:16 PM

While lawmakers gave the thumbs up to a new concession business in downtown Battleford, a tax incentive and the business name drew the ire of some councillors.

The owner of Redneck Concessions is interested in moving his business and wants to lease and potentially buy a vacant lot downtown to run the takeout restaurant from May to October.

Owner Wayne Warren has eyed 122 22nd St. W, which is adjacent to Ice Cream Oasis, as the chunk of land he wants to operate on. The current property owner has agreed to let him set up shop.

A report to council said he plans to use his concession trailer for the first and possibly second season, then build a more permanent structure with a seating area, similar to the ice cream parlour.

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Though lawmakers welcomed the new business, believing it will be a boon for downtown and draw additional traffic, one member took issue with the name.

Coun. Judy Pruden said she attempted to find a positive definition for the term redneck but came up short.

“Everything I have found is a negative connotation and it wasn’t very pleasant on what the definition of redneck was. We have gone to great lengths to be open to all people here of all walks of life and nationalities,” she said.

While the town can’t tell people what to name their business, CAO John Enns-Wind suggested they could send a letter to the company and advice them that the name does not align with council’s values of inclusiveness.

But Mayor Ames Leslie questioned how the term redneck fell under inclusiveness, saying the word is just slang.

Pruden admitted it doesn’t but reiterated how it is a derogatory phrase for a white male.

It was decided not to send a letter regarding the term.

Other lawmakers held trepidation over the suggested tax abatement.

Ice Cream Oasis and the property owner have their base tax waived while the temporary structure remains on the land. This contract was signed in 2008. As Redneck Concessions’ operation will be of a similar ilk, town administrators believed the business and landowner should be subject to the same conditions.

“To us, it seems unreasonable to have basically the same type of seasonal business and have two different tax regulations,” Enns-Wind told councillors. “If a business like this is successful, in five years, seven years, three years, someone may decide they want to put up a full restaurant. Think of it as steps as we grow the town.”

While lawmakers understood this line of thought, believed if the chunk of land is purchased, a new deal should be struck. They amended the incentive to only include the property owner.

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tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr