Stephanie Harman, a new member of the Downtown Association's board of directors, has some advice for fellow business owners. The owner of the Stephanie's Joy tearoom and thrift shop at 620 Queen St. E. says there's way too much grit on the sidewalks this time of year."I have a storefront on Queen Street," Harman told this month's meeting of the Downtown Association board. "My entire store is caked with sand, always.
Harman says we need some kind of "sweep your stoop" initiative before downtown businesses open for the day. "Hey guys. Let's make it easier for the city to clean the street.... You've got carpets of sand in your store, it's awful. That's what I want to do. If we don't want to do it, that's cool, but I'm doing it."
Another new member, Marnie Stone, expressed concern about the condition of the former Party Palace/Silly Rabbit Vape Shop location at 647 Queen St. E."We also have safety concerns," added Nicholas Rosset, the Downtown Association chair. "In the past, there was an exterior light that was hanging by a wire."
Ward 3 Coun. Angela Caputo offered to lodge a complaint with the city building department to send building inspectors to the property.