Tax filing and a beer? Bourbon and a haircut? Or maybe a massage and a martini is on the menu?
It’s all possible early in 2017, as the province intends to allow all kinds of businesses to apply for a liquor licence.
As of Jan. 23, businesses will be able to apply for a liquor primary licence to diversify their business model and serve liquor to customers.
And there may be quite a line-up to apply as Victoria business owners were intoxicated by the idea Wednesday morning.
“We have been talking about this for two years,” said an enthusiastic Brett Lacey, co-owner of Arq Salons. “If we are now able to do it, that’s fantastic.”
Lacey said they have been considering offering their clients a glass of wine or champagne during a visit, but “we didn’t want to cause problems for ourselves by doing it under the radar.”
He noted the new policy change clears the obstacles of salons wondering how to include the cost of a glass in a hair treatment.
Avid readers may also get the chance to peruse Proust while sipping Prosecco at Bolen Books if owner Samantha Holmes has anything to say about it.
“I’ve visited and seen this kind of thing work in stores in the U.S. and Europe and it’s very successful, but it’s different than the model we have here now,” she said. “But if [Hillside Shopping Centre] allowed it and my store size was able to be manipulated in such a way, I would strongly consider it. I think this is a very interesting concept.”
Andrew Golin, owner of the newly opened Capitol 6 Cinemas, agreed. He said one of the most common questions he gets is: “Are you going to serve alcohol?”
“So yes, I’m definitely going to pursue this as this is something our guests are looking for and it is certainly conducive to the atmosphere,” he said.
John Yap, B.C.’s parliamentary secretary for liquor-policy reform, said the decision to open up licensing was in response to demand from B.C. residents.
“We heard British Columbians wanted more convenience and more choice and that small business wanted more opportunity to extend liquor service to their customers,” he told reporters Wednesday during an announcement at Victory Barber & Brand in Victoria.
According to the province, any business can apply as long as they do not operate from a motor vehicle or target minors.
“Since 2013, we have been working to modernize antiquated liquor laws. We want the rules to complement businesses, not hinder them,” said Yap. “We want to bolster creativity and innovation, not create barriers and red tape.”
Any business that applies will still have to go through the same licensing processes as other establishments, including a requirement that all staff serving liquor have the province’s Serving-It-Right designation.
Businesses will also be subject to the same regulatory compliance measures as all licencees, and abide by local government or First Nation liquor licensing criteria.
Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps said the move enhances existing businesses and creates new markets for brewers.
“We’re not talking about new bars or restaurants. We are talking about services and businesses where clients are already coming and that have a significant impact on the local economy,” Helps said, though she was hopeful the process would not bog down businesses in new layers of red tape.
“One change being made is the municipal and provincial approval processes can be done concurrently.”
But there will still be plenty of details to be worked out.
Matthew Conrad, owner of Victory Barber, said the number one comment he gets has to do with how much people like his location, but how much more perfect it would be if they could get a drink with a shave and a haircut.
And while he is an enthusiastic supporter of the policy change — something he has been hoping for since he opened in 2011 — he knows there are hurdles ahead.
“The problem could be when the rubber hits the road with the enforcement branch,” he said. “It could make it difficult for businesses like this.
“It’s yet to come out in the wash, and it is certainly not deterring me in wanting to try, but I am realistic in my expectations,” Conrad said. He noted if they are required to undergo some sort of structural change or “something that interrupts the natural flow of business in some way, then obviously that is not that appealing.”
The change is the most recent announcement from the liquor policy review that offered 73 changes to modernize current regulations. So far 48 recommendations have been implemented.
Matt Phillips, owner of Phillips Brewing, said the most recent change makes sense.
“As we get further into a more European model of liquor service, the occasion when you can have a drink is changing and I think it makes sense to open it up to other social occasions that might not necessarily involve in sitting at a restaurant or a pub,” he said.
