PEMBERTON Heights' Corner Store has been given the District of North Vancouver's blessing to serve beer, wine and alcoholic cider.
At a meeting Monday night, municipal council voted unanimously to support owner Tracey Cochrane's bid for a food-primary liquor licence at the Lloyd Avenue business. The decision means Cochrane has just one more hurdle to jump before her loyal customers may order a tipple with their snacks and sundries: convincing the province's Liquor Control and Licensing Branch to issue a licence.
Council members spoke highly of Cochrane, her business and the idea of her store becoming more financially viable by allowing alcohol sales until 9 p.m.
"I don't think we should fear alcohol when we put it in places that we're not used to putting it in," said Coun. Lisa Muri. "This is something that happens all the time in Europe. . . .Why not be able to walk down on a summer evening or in the winter and have a drink with friends and be OK with that?"
But, Mayor Richard Walton stressed, this should not be seen as precedent to encourage other stores to follow suit.
"This council is not making a policy on corner stores," he said. "It ain't happening."
