Definition of "antique store"

[bluenose_planner]

Having problems with pawn shops/ buy & sell shops in the downtown Dartmouth area of Halifax, Nova Scotia. The area bylaw now identifies these as prohibited uses, and we've been weeding them out slowly but surely. But now we've got new ones trying to open up, saying they are "antique" shops. We currently have no definition for this use, and any that I've seen, such as the following, seem vague and development staff argue you'd have to be an expert on antiques to make a determination:

“Antique Store means any building or part thereof used for the sale of any old and authentic objects of personal property which were made, fabricated or manufactured eighty or more years earlier and which have a unique appeal and enhanced value because of age, artistry, beauty, or period of origin.”

Has anyone seen anyhting more specific than this? Or are the development staff just being more stubborn than usual...

 

[Jeff]

A pawn shop does not actually "buy" valuables from people. They give loans on them for 30 or so days, and if you don't pay back the loan you lose your property.

An "antique" shop, if legitimate would "buy" you valuable outright. You just need to spell it out clearly in the ordinance.

 

[Cardinal]

A pawn shop does not actually "buy" valuables from people. They give loans on them for 30 or so days, and if you don't pay back the loan you lose your property.

An "antique" shop, if legitimate would "buy" you valuable outright. You just need to spell it out clearly in the ordinance.

That used to be more true, but now antique stores are more commonly taking objects on consignment. You also have antique malls, which lease out space to sub-tenants. Legitimate antique stores can be a great asset in a commercial district and you do not want to screen them out as a result of eliminating the pawn shops.

You might consider putting on some pressure in other ways, such as signage, property mainenance, and other codes that might be beefed up in an overlay district.

 

[Repo Man]

Our code specifically prohibits pawn shops, but allows "resale stores for sale of used, trade-in or consigned merchandise."

 

[Jeff]

Consignment still differs from a pawn shop, in that with consignment, you get no money until a customer comes in and buys your item.