Questionable Bylaw forces Historic Neighbourhood Shops to Close

by kate | January 21, 2007 at 08:14 pm

605 views | 0 Recommendations | 2 comments

I think this is really shocking actually. Cheapskates is amazing and is pure neighbourhood. It seems so silly because if they have developed their own extremely effective system for avoiding stolen goods that has been proven to work since 2002, then why implement this law now? Plus, this racial profiling thing is seriously dodgy.

Popular Vancouver sporting-goods consignment store Cheapskates will close permanently this year because it can't afford to comply with a city bylaw designed to stop the sale of stolen goods.

Here is a letter Raymond Louie, City Councillor sent in response to my letter about how this new policy kind of sucks.

Dear Citizens

Thank you for your many emails regarding the Second-hand Dealers and Pawnbrokers By-law No. 2807.

Vision Vancouver is very concerned that a long standing business such as Cheapskates may close as a result of recent changes to the city By-law and Councillor George Chow has been actively working with staff along with the Vancouver Police Department to find a solution that will allow for the continued operation of businesses like Cheapskates, while still deterring criminal actively from happening.

There is no doubt that the service provided by Cheapskates and the environmental benefits of reusing consignment goods is a positive one. Vision Vancouver will be supporting a change that provides a different classification for consignment dealers and I hope that we can soon report that the rest of council does as well.

If you have further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Councillor George Chow by email at raymond.louie@vancouver.ca or george.chow@vancouver.ca

Sincerely,
Raymond Louie
Councillor, City of Vancouver

Ps. If you would like to find out more about Vision Vancouver, please visit www.votevision.ca <http://www.votevision.ca/>

Here is an update. It appears that they will be revisiting this new bylaw. I hope it saves Cheapskates! We all love to get cheap skates.

Dear Citizens,

I am happy to report that City Council has passed a motion today that
was presented by* Vision Vancouver* Councillor George Chow. It directs
staff to review Bylaw No. 2807 with the Vancouver Police Department and
to find a solution that will allow for the continued operation of
consignment businesses, while still deterring criminal activity.

Councillor Chow has been working very hard with staff over the past few
weeks to find a solution and staff are now expected to have a
recommended solution for council consideration by this Thursday.

If you have further questions or concerns please do not hesitate to
contact either myself or Councillor George Chow by email at
raymond.louie@vancouver.ca or george.chow@vancouver.ca

Sincerely,
Raymond Louie
Councillor, City of Vancouver

__ <http://www.votevision.ca/>

NowPublic

Strange

Questionable Bylaw forces Historic Neighbourhood Shops to Close

Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)

Get Published!

Track this Story

NowPublic

NowPublic

Strange

Questionable Bylaw forces Historic Neighbourhood Shops to Close

Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (2)

Get Published!

What is NowPublic?

Most Recommended Stories in Strange

Track this Story

NowPublic

Sign in to NowPublic

Not a member?