For the first time on the North Shore, salon customers can legally get a buzz while they get a buzz cut.
The District of North Vancouver council unanimously approved Zazou Salon and Academy’s application to serve alcohol at their Lynn Valley Village location Monday night.
The salon used to pour a complimentary glass of wine for customers until the RCMP put a cork in that practice, reported Zazou president Bruce Peters.
The RCMP reported one infraction at Zazou but voiced no opposition to their proposal for a liquor primary licence.
While council was generally supportive, Coun. Roger Bassam asked for assurances the hair salon wasn’t about to transform into a neighbourhood pub.
“What prevents it from becoming Zazou Bar and Grill?” he asked.
A fundamental change in Zazou’s business practises would require another hearing from council, according to staff.
Mayor Richard Walton also inquired how the new licence might work, and if Peters envisioned: “lots of people in there drinking and only a few having their hair cut.”
There are no plans to become a bar, Peters responded.
“We don’t have room for that and our waiting room is four chairs,” he said. “It’s not a bar with chandeliers swinging and all that kind of stuff.”
Zazou’s decision was welcomed by Coun. Robin Hicks, who called it an “entirely appropriate use” of their space.
“It’s not a place that you would go to drink,” he said. “As long as it’s not turned into another form of business I think it’s complementary to the service.”
Acknowledging his “old school” mentality, Coun. Doug MacKay-Dunn supported the licence but only on the condition staff report back to council on Zazou in a year.
“This is very new and I’m trying to get my head around it,” he said.
District staff backed the proposal, citing the likelihood of minimal noise complaints due to Zazou’s concrete building and its access off Mountain Highway near Browns Social House and the Black Bear Pub.
With a maximum occupancy of 40 customers, Zazou can serve drinks as late as 9 p.m. on weekdays and as late as 6 p.m. on weekends.
Zazou will likely not offer clients more than one drink, according to district staff, who noted Zazou’s patrons “tend to be in and out within two hours.”
The wrinkle in the proposal is the district’s role as Zazou’s landlord. However, responding to a question from the mayor, staff informed council they had no concerns stemming from their landlord status.
There are no other liquor licence applications from local businesses awaiting approval, according to district staff.
The district received three responses from the public regarding Zazou’s proposal, all of which were supportive.
Customers would not be permitted to take liquor off the site.
Zazou bills itself as a 12-chair salon in a 2,200 square foot space.
Coun. Lisa Muri did not attend the meeting.
The District of North Vancouver’s decision was in contrast to the City of North Vancouver’s position. The city recently voted not to approve any new liquor licences pending a meeting with a representative from B.C.’s Liquor Distribution Branch.
