Seventy-seven-year-old owner of Persian Tea House threatens hunger strike
The City of Vancouver is once again trying to close the city’s two hookah lounges, alleging that “smoking” is taking place and that this breaks a city bylaw.
Hamid maintains that hookah is a centuries-old Middle Eastern tradition that is widespread in his home country of Iran. His lounge contains ancient artifacts and items from the Middle East.“This place is becoming like a hub for new immigrants who come to Canada and don't speak a word of English,” said Yacoub, who immigrated to Canada from Egypt in 1984, when he spoke little English.
Discussions with Burnaby’s mayor and city council resulted in the city directing staff to draft a bylaw to grandfather in the existing hookah-lounge businesses so they could continue to operate.“They can't sell their businesses but as long as they're running their businesses, they can stay open,” Davison said of the Burnaby hookah shop owners.
Hamid said he paid for a city business licence until 2007, but the city took away that licence. He would be willing to pay the city for a business licence if the city were to allow him to have one, he said.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Vancouver bylaw official tries to close hookah shopsSeventy-seven-year-old owner of Persian Tea House threatens hunger strike
Read more »
Woman charged in fatal 2022 wedding day crash in West VancouverHong Xu, 64, charged with driving without due care and attention
Read more »
Three vacant lots on Vancouver's Belmont Avenue sell for $39 millionOne of the lots was a tent encampment for at least a year before being removed by police in April 2023
Read more »
Vancouver SunRead latest breaking news, updates, and headlines. Vancouver Sun offers information on latest national and international events \u0026 more.
Read more »
Vancouver SunRead latest breaking news, updates, and headlines. Vancouver Sun offers information on latest national and international events \u0026 more.
Read more »
Vancouver SunRead latest breaking news, updates, and headlines. Vancouver Sun offers information on latest national and international events \u0026 more.
Read more »