The owner of a local business that sells products associated with illegal drug use says he won't be opening up shop again in St. Albert, despite numerous tries to do so.
Tim Kaput, owner of Blitz 420, told the Gazette Wednesday that he will not be setting up shop in Appleyard Square in Akinsdale. His decision comes after a meeting between himself and the other tenants of the strip mall, as well as Mayor Nolan Crouse and Coun. Cam MacKay in which Kaput was described as "committed" to opening his store at the location.
"Why should I go on with this? I had six people sticking a pitchfork in my back," Kaput said.
Other Appleyard tenants expressed relief when informed of Kaput's decision, but most remained sceptical.
"I'll believe it when I see it," said Jennifer Foo, owner of Xtreme Creations Hair Company. "When we all spoke he and his girlfriend seemed very committed."
Kid concerns
Chief amongst the concerns of tenants was the potential exposure of children of all ages to both the store, which sells products that can be used to consume illegal drugs, and its clientele. Besides 7-Eleven and LB's Pub, other businesses include three childcare facilities, a children's art store and a music store that teaches lessons to children of all ages.
"I have safety concerns for the children and I have business concerns," said Global Child Montessori owner Gloria Dryhorub. "Parents will be driving up and saying, 'I don't want my child there.'"
Robbie Wood, owner of ADW Music, echoed those concerns, estimating 75 per cent of his music students are younger than 17.
"I'm opposed purely because of what it stands for, what it sells and the impression it gives young people," Wood said. "Even the name has a very suggestive quality to it. It attracts a certain clientele. It is not the kind of people I would like my students to be around."
The strip mall is also a draw for kids who attend Elmer S. Gish, according to several tenants.
"We've fought with these issues for years. We have a (kindergarten) to nine school here," said Foo. "I don't feel it's an appropriate location."
It was Crouse who, on Monday, first alerted Appleyard's tenants to the store's presence. A meeting was promptly convened between all tenants, at which Kaput put forward a list of what he would be selling at his store, which had been located on St. Albert Trail until Nov. 1.
"It's blankets, t-shirts, hats — none of it said anything about glassware," said Dryhorub. "And when we asked him if he was going to be selling anything associated with marijuana, he said, 'No, these are ethnic pipes.'
"It's all for incense burning and ethnic pipes and they said they have no control with what people do with them when they take them home. Everything is labeled as legal for sale in Canada," she added.
Led by Wood, the tenants had planned to appeal Kaput's business license before the city's subdivision and development appeal board. Foo indicated that appeal would still proceed.
"We do not feel it's a beneficial business for this area," she said.
End of the line
Kaput said he was evicted from his previous location along St. Albert Trail on Nov. 1, for which he blames the mayor.
"[Crouse] talked to the owners and then they gave me the boot. And then he sent letters out. I've tried for 13 freaking businesses and what do they say? No. I tried every available spot, every freaking available spot. Now all these people are sticking pitchforks in my back."
Kaput contends Crouse repeatedly visited his establishment at its previous location, during which he gave both Kaput and his store "dirty looks." The 31-year-old said he plans to sue the mayor for "corporate sabotage." When asked what the amount in damages he was seeking, Kaput laughed and said, "Millions."
Crouse had no comment on Kaput's threat to sue, but said the storeowner had made the right decision.
"I think it's smart on his part. I think it's a smart decision. He's got a vision for what's important. If he's got that dream, he can go do it in a community where he is going to be welcome."
The mayor has never held back his feelings on establishments such as Blitz 420.
"This isn't for youth development. I want to work on things that are youth development."
