What business is it of ours, some will ask?
Well, it’s everyone’s business that Appalachian Cannabis Co. is being driven to distraction, if not despair.
Recently, we reported on the trials and tribulations this relatively new, small retailer has faced since opening its doors in 2016.
There’s obviously a lot of challenges any business selling hemp-derived cannabidiol products, like CBD, faces at first.
Not to mention securing licenses and complying with up front regulations, as well as simply running a business six days a week.
Though rule changes may be academic every so often for businesses, the rules for this retailer appear to be changing based on knee-jerk decisions.
It appears the city intends to ban on-site parking to this business, located at the former Sunnyside Superette’s location on University Avenue.
In return, the city plans to provide five- or six-metered parking spaces along the soon to be one-way Second Street. Of course, metered spaces are not solely for any business and these are situated on a steep slope in a busy student area.
According to the owners of this retailer, they have already spent $50,000 researching right-of-way and site plan issues, pertaining to everything from windows and signage to parking as a result of the city’s actions.
Far more frequently in the past there was a fight-City-Hall approach to many issues by businesses and neighborhoods.
There is still some of that give-and-take today, too. Take the recent annexation initiative, for example.
But we would like to think our city has moved on to a more collaborative approach to solving problems and reaching consensus.
Especially when it comes to encouraging businesses to locate here and put down roots.
More of a “What can I do to help your business do better,” rather than “Your business can no longer do this or that.”
As one of the owners of Appalachian Cannabis Co. put it,
“ … There’s been nothing about this that has been business friendly.”
No one would argue that for many small businesses their success hinges on parking. It’s true, this business and others require customers to back out into busy streets, which is dependent on drivers letting them do so
But that’s worked for decades and still does in our community where people will still let you into traffic.
Even more curious, the city claims its parking solution to support this new business was the result of an “an extensive effort.” Yet, the business was apparently never consulted about it because it squarely opposes this “solution.”
Regulations are the city’s business; but so is forbearance, fairness and a good faith effort to save small businesses, including this one.
