Tony Makhoul, owner of the Bedford Beer Garden, is awaiting a permanent occupancy permit before he can open. He is seen at the establishment on Bedford Highway on Thursday, June 19, 2025. Photo by Tim Krochak /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle contentAfter one weekend in operation, the Bedford Beer Garden faces not reopening because Halifax Regional Municipality says it doesn’t have enough parking spaces.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY.Subscribe now to access this story and more:Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsSUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES.Subscribe or sign in to your account to continue your reading experience.Unlimited access to the website and appExclusive access to premium content, newsletters and podcastsFull access to the e-Edition app, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment onEnjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalistsSupport local journalists and the next generation of journalistsRegister to unlock more articles.Create an account or sign in to continue your reading experience.Access additional stories every monthShare your thoughts and join the conversation in our commenting communityGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorArticle contentOwner Tony Makhoul estimates he spent $50,000 setting up the open-air beer garden at 873 Bedford Highway that operated last weekend on a special events license.Article contentArticle content“The special events license is one-time use and temporary – we were hoping to have our occupancy permit this week,” said Makhoul.Article contentArticle contentHowever, an inspector told him that bylaws require that an establishment needs one parking space for every four seats.Article content A drone photo shows the location of the Bedford Beer Garden on Bedford Highway on Thursday. Photo by Tim Krochak /THE CHRONICLE HERALDArticle contentThe Beer Garden, which includes a kitchen, is located in a gravel parking lot and has 80 seats and five parking spaces (it would need 20).Article contentThere is also parking, which doesn’t count toward the HRM requirements, on adjacent streets.Article content“Number 1 – we didn’t know that bylaw existed and neither do the dozens of business owners I’ve talked to,” said Makhoul.Article content“Number two, we don’t want to encourage people driving here anyway. We’re promoting ourselves as an Uber-friendly business. We want people to get a ride here or walk here. When we had our soft opening last weekend, I’d say 90 per cent of the people walked down.”Article contentMakhoul has met with city planners, their manager and his councillor, Jean St-Amand (Bedford-Wentworth), with no success so far.Article contentSt-Amand told media last week that his hands are tied by the regulations in place.Article contentAnd for its part, HRM isn’t budging.Article content“The operator of the business is required to provide the necessary information to ensure the proposed business meets municipal requirements to receive a permit, including providing off-street parking in accordance with the land use by-law,” reads a written response from HRM spokeswoman Brynn Budden.Article contentMakhoul said Sunday he hopes to work with city officials to resolve the issue this coming week so he can reopen the Bedford Beer Garden.Article content
Bedford Beer Garden remains shut over HRM parking demands
