Council rejects Chicken Coop relocation

There will be no chicken lovers crossing Caribou Road for their snack pack fix anytime soon.

Port aux Basques Town Council unanimously rejected an application by the owner of Bob's Chicken Coop to reopen at a new location next to the Salvation Army Thrift Store.

The take-out restaurant's former location on High Street was gutted by fire in April. The restaurant has operated in Port aux Basques since the 1960s.

The application to the town included a floor plan with seating for 24. Mayor Brian Button admitted he was torn in his decision to reject the offer because he knows the establishment has a special place in the hearts of many current and former residents.

"Nobody would want to see it restarted as quickly as I do," said the mayor, "but the site doesn't have adequate parking. Not even close."

Mayor Button said the business' popularity would be its downfall in that location. He noted the restaurant's former location on High Street had ample parking, and even that was blocked on busy days.

Caribou Road is one of the busiest roads in Port aux Basques. Residential homes in the immediate vicinity do not have private parking spots, so homeowners take up most of the available parking on the side of the road.

"What will we face six months down the road when traffic is blocked off?" asked Mayor Button.

Several councillors and the mayor said they had already been approached by concerned citizens who had heard rumors of the business's proposed location.

"They're concerned," said Councillor Aneitha Sheaves. "They all love Bob's chicken, but their concern is parking."

Town Manager Melvin Keeping told the councillors they had the option to reject the application outright, or to run an ad announcing the proposal and inviting residents to write in with their concerns.

Coun. Gary White said after hearing councillors' concern for the location, he thought asking for the public's opinion would be a waste of time.

Coun. Jerome Battiste made a motion to deny the application on the basis of public safety. The motion was seconded by Coun. White and passed unanimously.

After the motion was passed, Mayor Button again stated the town was not against the business, but against the proposed location. He said he hopes the business comes back with another proposal for a different location.

"We are more than willing to try and work with them," said the Mayor.

Not deterred

Bob Senior, founder and namesake of the business, vowed to carry on.

He said he was a bit dismayed at the council's decision because his accountants had met with town staff to discuss possible locations before submitting their application. He said no town employees expressed any concerns about the Caribou Road location in that meeting.

Mr. Senior said they have a few other locations available to them, and will be exploring those.

"I'm not giving up yet. I never gave up in my life," he said.

reporter@gulfnews.ca