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Battleford business owners concerned over private liquor vendor

Jul 19, 2016 | 2:00 PM

The impending privatization of the liquor store in Battleford isn’t sitting well with local business owners.

The public liquor store, located at 102 22nd St. in downtown Battleford, is one of 40 stores across the province in the process of going private.

Owners of Battleford Super A Foods, Aaron and Charity Janzen told Battleford Town Council on Monday, June 19, they are in favour of keeping the liquor store public and in its current location.

Aaron believed there was no guarantee of where a private store would be located and the two worried the current vendor might move out of the downtown to Highway 4, by Tim Hortons and the Co-op Gas Bar.

“The location of the public liquor store is really good and I think we’re scared if it closes, a private one would relocate and it would very drastically hurt our business and other businesses in the downtown core,” Janzen said.

According to Janzen, the current downtown location draws pedestrians to their store and other businesses in the area.

“It would be a devastating effect on the whole downtown area, especially with the post office situation the way it is a well,” Janzen said. “So I think it would be very bad for everybody.”

The pair presented a 300-signature petition, although only 63 signatures were officially valid. According to the Janzens, they had an out-of-date version of the petition form. The updated version required signatures, a printed name, the signer’s address, a witness and the date signed.

Janzen added it is important for downtown Battleford to be a place of economic growth.

“Keep the vibrant downtown; keep the downtown growing as opposed to taking businesses away from it. I think we need some more growth, building a core service,” Janzen said.

The Janzens worked with the Saskatchewan Government and General Employees’ Union (SGEU) to collect signatures and are featured in an SGEU video speaking in favour of keeping liquor stores public. 

Town Council applauded the Janzens’ efforts and agreed a downtown liquor store promoted growth, but explained council had little say in the process of privatization.

 

Matt Kelly is battlefordsNOW’s town municipal affairs and community reporter. He can be reached at mkelly@jpbg.ca.