WATCH: In Coquitlam one VQA store is being forced out because a new operator has been granted a lease. Asa Rehman reports.
A longtime Coquitlam wine store is alleging her landlord is trying to run her out of business.
“I feel bullied, I feel that they have basically blackmailed me,” says C.J. Basaraba.
Her store, Westwood Wines, has been in a Coquitlam strip mall, owned by Bentall Kennedy, for over 15 years. Earlier this year, she was told that unless she supported a different private liquor store entering the mall, her lease would not be renewed.
“This liquor store is coming…it’s a private store. If they don’t change the city variance, they’re not going to renew our lease either,” says Basaraba.
The city has to change bylaws to allow a the new liquor store, both because it would be close to Basaraba’s location, and it would be near a school.
It means a public meeting will be held — one that Basaraba hopes is well attended by her supporters.
“The new liquor store and the Bentall Kennedy do not want us to oppose it. As much support as we can to keep the same and oppose it would be awesome,” she said.
While Bentall Kennedy did not respond to requests for an interview by Global News, the owners of the proposed new store say they hired a retail consultant to do a study of the area, and they the determined the area is currently under serviced.
Comments