The Halifax Regional Municipality is looking to pass a new bylaw to limit the hours of operation for commercial businesses situated within the Regional Centre’s Established Residential District.

The city council expressed concern regarding the impact these convenience stores have on established residential communities given their sale of ready-to-eat food and ability to operate late into the evenings.

By-law B-800 is cited as the Business Opening Hours in Residential Neighbourhoods By-law, which states that opening hours of local commercial use and restaurant use within certain established residential zones should be limited to operating between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

The report stated that after some of these businesses began operation in a specific residential zone, complaints from neighbours, local Councillors, and Halifax Regional Police have been noted concerning late night hours of operation for food service and the resulting noise, trespass, and littering.

The report stated that large numbers of consumers patronize some of these neighbourhood stores with operating hours extending past 3:00 AM. Police have responded to disturbances, which have included individuals and groups of people loitering outside of the grocery stores and on surrounding streets and properties.

The report noted that these gatherings tend to be seasonal, occur with warmer weather, and have been ongoing for several years.

As such, and in response to resident’s concerns, council passed by-law B-800 referenced motion on Nov. 23, 2021.

Mike Habib has been the owner of Jubilee Junction Convenience & Take Out for 33 years. Photo by Sara Gouda.

Jubilee Junction Convenience & Take Out owner Mike Habib says he is concerned since many locals, students, residents, neighbors and professionals come to the store after 11 p.m.

"We're a vital point in the city because we're in the immediate area close to the hospital and close to the university. It is a university area so there is some stuff that comes with it. There aren't enough businesses close to the university in order to satisfy people's needs," said Habib.

Habib has managed the convenience store successfully since 1989, for 33 years. Jubilee's operating hours are from 9 a.m. until 1 a.m., and on the weekends, the store stays open until 2:30 a.m.

Habib says if this bylaw comes to pass, it would require a lot of adjustments.

"We have credit card bills, mortgages, kids in university, and school expenses. So cutting that off, cutting my hours, that's going to set me back quite a bit. Economic times are not that good, with inflation being so high, people losing their jobs, and we're just pulling out of COVID. This is not the right time to do any of that stuff," said Habib.

Habib claims that this new bylaw would not be solving the noise complaint issue, as the noise would only be carried one or two extra blocks down the street, and again as students walk back to their residences.

He says a more suitable solution would be to have stores closer to people so they maybe would not come into the residential neighborhood and affect the family life.

Across from Jubilee's store is the Triple A convenience store, which has been running under the current conditions and work hours for 45 years.

On the weekends, Triple A receives a lot of customers as they remain open until 3 a.m.

Triple A Convenience and Pizzeria owner John Amyoony said the store receives a lot of customers after 11 p.m., as students go to the store for late-night snacks after studying, or partying.

"We provide service for all the community, either in a regular time, or when it's snowing, or during a hurricane. We always keep the door open for everybody. We keep our business going here for the community and we like it here. So I don't think it's right to cut us off at 11 o'clock," said Amyoony.

Community members and students stopped by the Triple A convenience store to sign the petition against by-law B-800. Photo by Sara Gouda.

On Friday, Amyoony said he is legally fighting this bylaw, and started a petition against it, which has since garnered thousands of signatures.

He said he was overwhelmed by the support he received from the community. Working professionals and students, would pass by the store with their friends and post on social media to help get the word out about Triple A's petition and how their signatures can help save the store.

He added that about 90 per cent of people living in the are students, as Halifax is a student town, and that it would not be fair for small businesses to change their work hours to deal with 'one or two neighbours' complaints.'

"They are loud in September, but after they start their exams, midterms, and with the cold weather, things change a lot. We never had problems or arguments when they come here on a weekend drinking, everybody loves us and respect this property."

Amyoony said since being established 45 years ago, he feels the store is an integral part of the community. He added that he and his wife have always been social with their customers. He said some residents seek advice from his wife, and call her when they need help, are sick or are in need of a home-cooked meal.

"They want the store to be opened after 11. I don't see what's wrong with all these young kids, growing up, laughing, enjoying themselves, partying, and not hurting anybody. And they're safe here."

Listen to the full interview below: