Neighbourhood Bookstore and Cafe reopens, but without food

After a months-long bureaucratic nightmare, a popular bookstore and coffee shop in Wolseley has re-opened but for now, city rules mean the only item on its menu is pop.

The Neighbourhood Bookstore and Cafe closed its doors in August due to a lengthy legal battle with the city of Winnipeg, but owner Bill Fugler said financial necessity means they're now back in business.

He's spent years battling a city bylaw requiring him to install a grease trap he says he doesn't need.

The bylaw requires any establishment serving food to install a grease trap, but Fugler says his kitchen, which used to produce sandwiches and baked goodies for customers, doesn't produce enough grease to need one.

He said the trap would cost $3,000 to $5,000 because he would have to tear out a wall and put it under the floor.

The city does grant exemptions. According to a freedom of information request from Fugler's lawyer that was supplied to CBC in July, 12 food-related businesses received exemptions from the city bylaw, but Fugler's wasn't one of them.

• Wolseley business owner feels trapped by city grease bylaw

That means for now, he's the owner of a cafe that doesn't serve food and despite that, so far, Fugler saysbusiness has been good.

Customers can still buy books, and some bring in their own coffee to drink while they browse.

"I came in, I shovelled snow and gradually, as soon as there were lights in the place, people started filtering back in," Fugler said.

"We posted on Facebook and people have been coming and bringing food and coffee in Thermoses and disposable cups. It's been kind of like a big potluck and tremendously fun."

Beyond business, Fugler said he sees his shop as a much-needed community space for people to come together and get to know their neighbours.

"This feels like home. This is my living room and these people are my family," Fugler said.

"It's really a big part of me, talking to all the people here and sharing these ideas, and hearing what they think."

Fugler said he's still hoping to get an exemption or help to buy the equipment to let him start serving food again.

He'll beback in court on Dec. 22.

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