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Kelowna  

Wine sales all good

UPDATE: Dec. 10, 9 a.m.

It would appear all the correct paperwork and permits are in place to allow for wine sales at Your Independent Grocers in the Capri Centre Mall.

Originally, city planner Ryan Smith said the store did not have the proper liquor primary zoning, therefore was not allowed to sell wine on its shelves.

However, after digging further Saturday morning, Smith said city maps had not been properly updated since a new CD25 zone was approved as part of the redevelopment plan for the mall.

He said the maps still show the former zoning which did not allow for wines sales, which was introduced by the store Friday afternoon.

The CD25 comprehensive development zone was approved in 2014 to oversee mall redevelopment, which will include a mixed-use site with residential towers, retail spaces, a market square and a community park with an outdoor skating rink.


ORIGINAL: Dec. 9, 7:15 p.m.

Your Independent Grocer in Kelowna brought the media together Friday afternoon to unveil the sale of BC wines within the store.

But, it appears they failed to contact the city.

Castanet has learned the store within the Capri Centre Mall is not properly zoned to be liquor primary, and therefore cannot legally sell wine on the premises.

City planner Ryan Smith confirmed the proper zoning is not in place.

Smith said the city will be in contact with the company, asking them to prepare the proper paperwork.

He said the city would encourage the store to cease selling wine until such time as the zoning application is approved.

Smith stated it could take three to four months to get a rezoning application before city council for approval.

"We are extremely busy right now with applications. It's a first-come-first-served," said Smith.

Nearly a month ago, city council approved rezoning to allow wine to be sold at the Real Canadian Superstore on Baron Road.

Currently, there are two grocery stores in Kelowna able to sell BC wines, two Save-On-Foods locations in Orchard Plaza and in the Mission.

Loblaws officials were surprised by Friday's development.

Officials said they were led to believe all permits were in place.

They said they would be looking into the situation.



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