Liberty is coming to Central Lonsdale.
The City of North Vancouver voted 5-2 to allow Liberty Wine Merchants to move their bottles of Burgundy and Bordeaux into 1308 Lonsdale Ave. with an entrance on 13th Street.
The move should enliven 13th Street, according to Coun. Don Bell, who supported the project when it was debated in May.
The shop shouldn’t be allowed to pop its cork within one kilometre of Jack Lonsdale’s pub and liquor store, according to Coun. Rod Clark, who joined Coun. Pam Bookham in opposition.
The one-kilometre rule “has served us well,” according to Clark, who said he opposed allowing competing liquor outlets within a “stone’s throw.”
The new wine shop will appeal to connoisseurs and collectors, according to Liberty Wine Merchants owner Robert Simpson.
Simpson likened the difference between Jack Lonsdale’s and Liberty Wine to the gulf between Ikea and an antique store.
“They’re both in the home furnishing business but they provide very different services,” he said.
Liberty Wine’s Park & Tilford location prospered despite being within 150 feet of Rusty Gull’s liquor store, said Simpson.
Because of its unique role as one of 11 wine-only shops in B.C., the new store would have “minimal impact” on Jack Lonsdale’s, according to city staff.
The move was opposed by Sailor Hagar’s Brew Pub owner Brian Riedlinger.
“We depend on our liquor store to keep our pub in business,” he said, explaining that B.C. pubs are increasingly being squeezed by “restaurants that act like bars.”
The 1,500-square-foot store would likely stay open until 8 p.m. on weekdays and as late as 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, Simpson said.
When the wine shop’s 28-year tenancy at Park & Tilford was wrapping up in 2015, Liberty Wine Merchants explored a move to 1667 Lonsdale Ave. but was rebuffed by council.
The new shop will be permitted to serve half a glass of vino to quench the thirst and curiosity of patrons interested in an exotic bottle, following the province’s decision to change the rules on sample sizes Thursday.
Wine shops and liquor stores can now give customers one 75-millilitre sample of wine, 175 mL of beer, or 20 mL of spirits per day.
Small tasting fees may be charged at the proprietor’s discretion.
