Perfumer battling city hall to keep his shop open
Michael O’Malley has been here before — fighting the City of Winnipeg to keep his business open. He usually spends his days concocting scents. He’s owned La Parfumerie, a Wolseley […]
Perfumer Michael O'Malley is fighting City of Winnipeg officials to keep his Wolseley shop open. O'Malley, 68, has owned La Parfumerie since 1993, where he sells 27 natural perfumes. Recently, he was told he must either change the home's zoning or cancel walk-in customer traffic. O'Malley, who faces a potential loss of half his annual income by closing, has launched a petition with over 1,478 signatures.
He faces a Nov. 10 deadline to comply with the city's bylaw or risk losing his business. City officials argue that retail sales aren't permitted in home-based businesses and that the rules help balance the needs of small businesses and residential areas. O'Malley estimates rezoning would cost him $50,000, and ending walk-in traffic could cost $30,000, as he gets 30 to 40 customers per month from in-store visitors.
Written by urgent.news from Winnipeg Free Press's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
