Charges have been dropped against a small business that was shut down by the city over a permit snafu.
Ivy and Greg Hanley are co-owners of Urban Market 1919 on Lemarchant Road in St. John’s.
Ivy Hanley File Photo
Last year they opened a seasonal store, the Christmas House, next door at the former Brookfield factory, with the venture accounting for about 60 percent of yearly revenue.
The Urban Market and Christmas House combined had over 400 vendors, with 28 staff on hand.
The city had rezoned the new space for retail use, but the owners opened before they had a physical copy of the permit—which is needed to order inspections.
Days later they received the permit in the mail, along with an order to vacate the premises over safety concerns.
They were then charged with violating the City of St. John’s Act.
But in provincial court this morning that charge was dropped due to a lack of evidence.
The Hanleys, meanwhile, are claiming vindication and promising to re-open the Christmas House on November 1.
