A8-Wednesday, September 24, 1980 - North Shore News COMPROMISE SUGGESTION erethinantieeinadioaratredinesierdenineteettteas aan cate RATE 15 days’ late as shopping proposed for NV District Shopping hours will be extended to 9 p.m. for 15 days before Christmas in North Vancouver District if a bylaw amendment proposed Monday night is eventually passed. But before the com- promise amendment is reconsidered in three weeks’ time, council hopes the community will voice its views clearly on the proposal. West Vancouver council made a similar proposal for Christmas shopping hours at its meeting the previous week. After a heated debate at their regular meeting Monday night, District council voted four to two to request the preparation of a bylaw amendment which would increase from seven to 15 the number of days before Christmas that shops could remain open until 9 p-m. (Alderman Jim Ball was absent). . An amendment to the Municipal Act this year has given municipalities the option of allowing extended shopping hours “in any or all of the 21 (business) days immediately preceding Christmas Day”. Previously, seven was the maximum. Last week West Van- couver council opted to prepare a bylaw amendment that would allow 15 days of extended shopping hours, acting on the urging of Park Royal merchants. North Van _ District council plans to run an advertisement soliciting the written opinions of mer- chants, store clerks and other District residents interested in the issue. Last year council surveyed area merchants and found small businesses divided while Zellers, the only large department store im the District, wanted to stay open. COMPETING Alderman Ernie Crist, who admitted he is “biased toward small business”, said he thought the pressure to remain open was coming from large stores which saw extended hours as an “op- portunity to drive small businesses from the com- munity. I think it is im- portant that they stay,” he said. Alderman Mary Segal, however, said that District merchants should have the 1470 PEMBERTON AVE.,N. VAN. opportunity to compete with Park Royal. “If our shops are closed, people will go elsewhere to shop. In a free enterprise system, we should allow stores the flexibility to determine their own hours.” Segal proposed = an amendment to allow the stores to remain open the full 21 days provided in the Municipal Act, but there was no seconder. Alderman Peter Powell said he was prepared to “fight to the ground” any increase in the number of days shops could remain open late. It's wrong and it’s inhuman,” he said. “I'm damned if I'm going to pander to the selfish law.” Powell said he was trying to speak for store clerks whose hours of duty were juggled and extended and who were exhausted by the time Christmas finally arrived. Powell criticized the merchandising practices of large department _ stores, saying, “They seem to think that if they can _ trigger impulse buying it’s good for their cash registers.” But, he continued, “There is a corresponding post Christmas return of mer- chandise.” He admitted that the stores deny this. But Mayor Don Bell, who stated he had _ extensive experience as a merchant, was equally strong in sup- porting an increase. He said most stores do between 25 and 30 per cent of their total year’s business in the month of December. STORES PACKED “The stores are packed,” he said. “People shop for convenience — and far from driving customers away from the community, extended hours bring them in. Extra staff are usually hired and it’s a way for students to get expenence.” Powell disagreed. “] think you better talk to a few people who work for these places.” The mayor rebutted, “I talk to myself every night.” Bell proposed a com- promise 15 days and was seconded by Alderman Segal. Powell and Crist voted against the proposed amendment to the bylaw, which will come up for first and second reading October 6. FLOOR SAMPLE WHY DYNASLIM? Because nothing compares to the feeling of accomplishment when you slip easily into a skirt or slacks that you havent been able to wear for months or years! And it can be so easy! A relaxing visit to one of our studios 3 times a week. a little care with what you eat, and the results will appear like magic Best of all, we have a supe’ special at all Dynaslim studios for the mcnth of September 12 one hour Cellulite/figure toning treatments for just $19 Our first 100 customers will also receive a free $30 facial. TOTAL BODY CARE FOR MEN AND WOMEN cellulite treatments © figure toning © inch and weight reduction ® suntanning e facials ® manicure, pedicure ® painless hair removal e waxing 2741 Granville St South Granville 732-7265 Park Royal S W Vancouver 926-8511 5475 W Boulevard Kerrisdale 266-1046 ‘DYNASLM TOTAL BODY CARE FOR MEN & WOMEN Marine Ontve PHONE 980-6922 eo VIDA A MAS TE FIC POARACAE VWVE OG DRA 8 OAR PRIN EGE UNG OIA 8 OE IVE Fe AV AN ADS E AT Pn bean en, RAR HAC PA rT Ke) Pe) Arb © Ao, GALES PINAY «©