ItB次元官网网址檚 no secret commercial space is not keeping up with the population growth in Sooke.

There are approximately 750 businesses in Sooke. Many are home-based, and the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce says the lack of commercial space holds many companies back.

B次元官网网址淔inding space is a challenge. We always hear of space being discussed that hasnB次元官网网址檛 materialized,B次元官网网址� said Mayor Maja Tait.

The issue came back in the spotlight at last weekB次元官网网址檚 council meeting when entrepreneur Ramesh Nandhini brought to light his plight to find commercial space to operate his small food business.

Nandhini started his company first as an online business importing spices from India and later began an Indian takeout restaurant known as Kurry King.

Kurry King and JennyB次元官网网址檚 Country Pantry and Tea Shoppe operated out of the small location on Sooke Road, with Nandhini operating in the evening hours. Still, when JennyB次元官网网址檚 closed earlier this month, Nandhini couldnB次元官网网址檛 expand due to the cost of renovations and the landlordB次元官网网址檚 refusal to help.

B次元官网网址淚 canB次元官网网址檛 find space in Sooke. Many landlords donB次元官网网址檛 have commercial space or donB次元官网网址檛 want a commercial kitchen,B次元官网网址� said Nandhini, whoB次元官网网址檚 lived in Sooke for five years after immigrating from India.

B次元官网网址淚 want to stay in Sooke.B次元官网网址�

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Council was supportive of Nandhini and said the lack of commercial space is a growing problem.

Coun. Ebony Logins said the current system doesnB次元官网网址檛 work well for start-up businesses or home-based businesses that want to expand B次元官网网址� and there is no solution in sight in the near future.

B次元官网网址淭he new developments coming are not going to be for local businesses. TheyB次元官网网址檙e going to be very expensive retail space that doesnB次元官网网址檛 support people who are working and growing here,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 not just about building more commercial space. We really need to think about building commercial space that supports the way our community functions, which is one of togetherness, inclusiveness and innovation.B次元官网网址�

Tait said council has the opportunity when developers come forward to pitch their project on what they want to do and ask how their project will enhance local business opportunities.

Coun. Tony St-Pierre took it a step further, mulling the prospect of tacking on a 10 per cent fee on developments B次元官网网址� much like the district has for its affordable housing initiate B次元官网网址� to create a municipal fund to help build small business space.

Coun. Jeff Bateman liked the idea that both Kurry King and JennyB次元官网网址檚 had a shared-use commissary kitchen, pointing out many municipalities are promoting the idea within their business communities.

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He plans to make a motion at councilB次元官网网址檚 Nov. 22 meeting asking for shared-use commissary kitchens to be included in the Community Economic Strategy in Action Plan.

B次元官网网址淚 hope we can lobby developers to build space like this into their developments,B次元官网网址� Bateman said.

For Nandhini, itB次元官网网址檚 simpler.

B次元官网网址淲e need local people to support local businesses,B次元官网网址� he said.

editor@sookenewsmirror.com
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