RIGHT DIRECTION

The District of Maple Ridge shut down a smoking emporium Monday,
three days after it opened.

Hemporium was selling hookahs, bongs and pipes, as well as incense
and hemp clothing at the shop on 224th Street, but did not have a
business licence from the municipality, yet.

The owner had applied for one and said he was told by district staff
that he could open his shop while waiting for approval.

Monday he was told he couldn't stay open until he had a business
licence. So now he waits.

That approval may not come, not for that location, anyway.

Maple Ridge is still trying to revitalize the downtown core, and
council and other downtown merchants don't want the Hemporium to
interfere with that. They think the shop will encourage illegal drug
use and attract unsavory types to the downtown (not that the area is
void of such at the moment), thus discouraging development.

Now, if council is serious about revamping the downtown and
attracting more consumer traffic, closing down stores probably won't
help, in the short-term. But down the road, the Hemporium isn't the
kind of businesses the downtown needs.

It's not illegal to sell hookahs and bongs, but anyone who thinks
that the majority of people who purchase such products only smoke
tobacco probably spent too much time studying in high school.

Zones for adult-oriented businesses work best, grouping shops like
the Hemporium with pawn shops or adult entertainment clubs and
stores. Maple Ridge Mayor Gordy Robson has suggested the 207th Street
area as a better location for the Hemporium, if a business license is granted.

Downtown has and has had such business types, but now council is
discouraging more from opening in the core, which is a step in the
right direction.