Chamber to Fight Ordinance Limiting Business Hours

The Greater Cranston Chamber of Commerce and its members plan to oppose an ordinance proposed by Councilman Steve Stycos that would limit the hours of operations for many businesses, the chamber announced today.

"We believe that this ordinance, if enacted, will create a negative business environment and deter businesses from locating in the city of Cranston," said Stephen C. Boyle, president of the chamber. "This legislation will put the City of Cranston at a distinct disadvantage to attract businesses looking to relocate in the City or those people looking to start a business. We need to create an environment that will foster growth and expansion of the tax base with the result being job creation by allowing businesses to operate in a reasonable manner with a set of business hours that has been working just fine for a substantial amount of years."

The ordinance, which will be discussed by the Ordinance Subcommittee of the City Council tomorrow night, would amend existing statute to state "No shops, store or other place of trade or entertainment in the city, excepting licensed taverns, shall be kept open between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m."

Some businesses would be able to obtain an exception as long as they get approval from the Safety Services and Licensing Committee after a public hearing and notice sent to all property owners within 200 feet of the business.

Business owners have taken issue with the new requirement, arguing that the cost of mailing the letters is prohibitive and puts them at a disadvantage, since businesses in other cities and towns face no such restrictions.

Businesses currently operating between the hours of 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. would be grandfathered in and wouldn't have to obtain approval or send notices to continue operating during those hours.

Any business that wishes to change their hours now must notify the city and residents, after an ordinance proposed by Councilman Stycos was unanimously approved by the City Council earlier this year. That ordinance was widely supported by residents of the Edgewood neighborhood.

Boyle said he will be addressing the Ordinance Committee to "impart the Chamber's opposition to the change of business" and is encouraging business owners to attend the meeting to voice their concerns.

The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in council chambers.