A new beer garden in Bedford officially opened its doors to a full crowd on the weekend after some major hiccups over parking.
The Bedford Beer Garden was finally able to nab an occupancy permit after a hitting a huge snag for months over a parking bylaw and a lack of spaces.
Co-owner Tony Makhoul tells our newsroom it was a long road to get here.
“We just received [the occupancy permit] Thursday, and then we got our liquor license on Friday at 3:30 and we opened at four,” says Makhoul. “I was amazing when people started walking in and basically them just having the same reaction. ‘Finally, you’re open. Finally, you’re open.'”
He says it feels like a huge weight off their shoulders.
How did it happen
In HRM, a bylaw states that for every four seats, an establishment needs one parking space.
The beer garden was 15 spaces short.
To figure out the situation, Makhoul says they not only got the city chief of staff involved, but MLA Tim Outhit, Mayor Andy Fillmore, Councillor Jean St-Amand and even Premier Tim Houston.
“We managed to submit a site map that made sense, where we could fit enough parking spaces to accommodate the every 1,000 square feet that we have, four and a half parking spaces is the rule,” says Makhoul.
He says, they did have to barricade off 500 square feet but are pushing for an amendment to fit two more spaces there.
Urging for change
Makhoul says the parking bylaws in HRM are decades old and he is urging for them to be updated.
“Especially when it comes to parking in relation to businesses outside of the downtown centre. So, they’re outdated. We’re talking 30 years outdated,” says Makhoul.
He adds, Amand has been very supportive throughout the process and agrees there needs to be some movement there but it’s a slow process.
As for the rest of the summer, Makhoul hopes for good weather and sends a big thank you to the public and everybody behind the scenes that helped.
“The community of Bedford really, really stood up.”
