The operators of Goldstream Station Market were recently granted the addition of Wednesday nights to their offerings for this summer in VeteranB次元官网网址檚 Memorial Park.
Despite provincial liquor regulation changes last April that now allow market vendors to offer local beers, wines, ciders and spirits, however, Langford city councillors decided now isnB次元官网网址檛 the right time.
The Luxton Station Market Society, which operates the outdoor market, was requesting a bylaw amendment that would have seen them able to incorporate this additional draw to their previously-weekly B次元官网网址� now bi-weekly B次元官网网址� event.
The reasons cited for turning down the idea were the potential overcrowding of the park and that alcohol sales in an area with war memorials might be considered disrespectful.
If the marketB次元官网网址檚 growth has made the park overcrowded on Saturdays, we feel the city should work with the Market Society to find a venue that will both suit the current event and allow for continued growth. FarmerB次元官网网址檚 markets are excellent community events that should be cherished, nurtured and supported.
We understand the hesitance to incorporate alcohol sales around war memorials, though. It is possible that veterans B次元官网网址� who deserve our utmost respect, admiration and attention B次元官网网址� may, in fact, frown upon alcohol sales near the sites designed to memorialize them.
But we think they should be asked before we decide thatB次元官网网址檚 how they feel. The Royal Canadian Legion, after all, while a membersB次元官网网址� club and not a place specifically for public reflection of veteransB次元官网网址� sacrifices, is nonetheless a bastion for current and ex-military men and women. On a daily basis, Legions honour veterans and memorialize the sacrifices of soldiers past B次元官网网址� much like VeteranB次元官网网址檚 Memorial Park B次元官网网址� yet they have bars built right into them.
The Luxton Market SocietyB次元官网网址檚 mandate is to be a community market in the West Shore where all the vendors make, grow, bake or raise the products they sell. Locally-produced beer and other libations fall squarely into that mandate.
It seems the decision not to allow this was based on outdated misconceptions about alcohol, those who distribute it, and those who consume it. ItB次元官网网址檚 time to reconsider and address those misconceptions, look at the benefits other communitiesB次元官网网址� markets are enjoying by expanding their customer base and check the publicB次元官网网址檚 pulse on the matter.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 a chance doing so might just encourage a new sector of our local business community, if thatB次元官网网址檚 what the community wants.
LetB次元官网网址檚 ask them.
