ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The centre of St. John’s is getting a new bakery.
Monday, in its first meeting of 2021, St. John’s city council approved an application by the Old Dublin Bakery to set up shop at 203 Merrymeeting Rd.
Located on the corner of Merrymeeting Road and Freshwater Road, in a building formerly occupied by Planned Parenthood, the bakery is expected to have up to 10 full-time employees and will operate Monday to Saturday 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sundays 7 a.m. to noon.
Coun. Shawn Skinner said the business first served up treats at the Farmers' Market before moving to a location on Cochrane Street.
He said 11 submissions were received by council, most in favour of the business and a few concerned about parking.
“I think this will be the kind of thing people will be walking to,” he said. “It’ll be a neighbourhood-type bakery. I view it as being similar to Georgestown Bakery. Those operations are good additions to the neighbourhood. I’d like to see it go there, too.”
Coun. Debbie Hanlon said she contacted the owners, who assured her that their new ventilation fans won’t create problems for neighbours at night.
Since there’s no parking at the location, Coun. Maggie Burton recommended council give the business relief of parking, as most people will walk there and will make quick visits.
“You can’t have enough bakeries in our lives, in my opinion,” Burton said.
New bed and breakfast approved
Council has approved an application to have a heritage house in the downtown area converted to a bed and breakfast and eating establishment.
The business, The Postmasters Inn, is located at 20 Gower St. The building would include five bed and breakfast rooms, with an eating area with seating for 12 people. Hours of operation for the restaurant would be 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. seven days a week.
Coun. Shawn Skinner said council received 10 submissions, all referencing parking.
“I’ll be honest, I was back and forth on it, but I am going to support it,” Skinner said.
“I’m happy to see home-based businesses. I’m happy to see neighbourhood businesses. There are ways around challenges.”
