Mission mayor says there are too many tattoo parlours and pawn shops downtown

Tattoo parlours, vape shops and cheque-cashing stores may no longer be welcome in downtown Mission.

Mayor Randy Hawes says the City is trying to revitalize the three-block stretch, and businesses like those will just bring it down.

Hewants to change zoning that would prohibit certain new businesses including the aforementioned vape shops and cheque-cashing stores from opening, while allowing existing businesses to stay.

"These are the businesses you see in a downtown that's declining," he told On The Coast host Stephen Quinn.

"We have enough. We've already gone through a decline in our downtown, now we're trying to pick it up again."

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Currently there are two pawn shops, three tattoo parlours and two cheque-cashing stores and a vape shop, which Hawes says "won't attract the businesses we'd really like to see there."

Hawes says the rezoning is part of a wider effort to spruce up downtown Mission, an effort the city has spent several million dollars on.

"We do have some new investors that have come and have opened stores, but we want more," Hawes said.

Mission's downtown is also home to several social service agencies, and Hawes saysthat means there are often homeless residents sleeping on the streets at night, who hebelieves are often attracted by the pawn shops.

Hawes says the city, in addition to beautification efforts, is working on outreach for homeless residents.

The rezoning has not been made final, and is subject to a public hearing.

With files from CBC Radio One's On The Coast

To hear the full story, click the audio labelled:Mission mayor says too many tattoo parlours, pawn shops in downtown