Longtime BC wine shop in danger of closing; owner claims she’s being forced out
Posted May 22, 2015 12:50 pm.
This article is more than 5 years old.
COQUITLAM (NEWS1130) – A wine shop with a long history in Coquitlam may be forced to close, thanks to a new private liquor store moving in close by.
The owner claims she’s being blackmailed by her landlord.
C.J. Basaraba with Westwood Wines has been in her location for the last 15 years, but was approached by the landlord, Bentall Kennedy, in February asking her to move.
“It’s like, what do you mean, move? We’ve established ourselves. Why would we move? We’re a community VQA store, why would we move?”
She says she then got a letter from Bentall Kennedy.
“[They] basically informed us in a letter that they will not be renewing our lease unless a private liquor store … called Westwood Liquor Store Inc. gets into the mall location. So basically, we have a renewal coming up in September, and they will not renew our lease unless I am on board with this private liquor store coming into the plaza … basically it’s blackmail as far as I can see.”
The City of Coquitlam has to amend two bylaws to accomodate the new store. One deals with its proximity to C.J.’s shop, and the other is allowing it within 300 metres of Summit Middle School which is right next to the mall.
“The plateau is a drop-off point for the children, and also a pick-up point. So, do we really want to have another store in here where there’s children who possibly could be affected by this?”
C.J. says Bentall Kennedy didn’t give her a reason why it wants the private liquor store in that location, especially since there’s already a private liquor outlet just down the hill.
“It’s not even a two, three minute drive, and there really is no reason to put another [private] store up in this plaza. Bringing in another store is going to affect my business, the community, my staff, and I really don’t believe it’s necessary.”
A public meeting to amend the bylaws to accomodate the private store is happening June 1st and CJ is hoping all of her supporters are there to go against it.
A call for an interview with Bentall Kennedy was not returned.
