Windsor shop owner struggles with eviction from Pelissier

An emotional Youssef Gereigesaid he will wait until the new year before deciding where he'll relocate his downtown hair salon.

He and other shop owners recently got evicted from their Pelissier Street spaces after city councillors decided to convert a stretch of street-level retail into parking spaces.

• Retail space reverted to parking spots in Pelissier parking garage

Gereigestruggledas he described having to relocateYoussefHair Boutique from the space he's operated out of for 17 years.

"You put all your heart and soul into it and one day it's just going to go, like this," he said. "I think they made a very bad choice.

Despite protests from downtown shop owners, the politicians pulled the plug on the retail space, some of which has been empty for years.

Current tenants, including the Windsor Pride Community Centreand the Canada South Festival Network, have six months to move out.

Gereige says he wants to stay in the downtown, but there is no guarantee he will find a spot. He may have to move outside the core.

Built in 1979, the Pelissier parking garage has 348 parking spots. The new addition will add 51.