Glass half-full: Bedford highway beer garden reopens at reduced capacity
The Bedford Beer Garden, located on the Bedford Highway, has recently reopened after a brief closure due to parking regulations. The popular outdoor bar initially opened for a weekend in late June but had to close when it was determined by the Halifax Regional Municipality that it did not have enough parking spaces to comply with regulations.
In order to meet the parking requirements under its municipal permit, the beer garden has been reduced in size by 100 square feet. Co-owner Tony Makhoul stated, “We had to compromise, find that middle ground.” Despite the setbacks, the outdoor bar reopened to a large turnout on Friday, and Makhoul is optimistic about a busy summer season after facing several challenges while trying to open.
Makhoul also expressed his belief that the municipality could do more to support businesses outside the downtown core by removing certain barriers. He noted that downtown businesses are exempt from the same parking regulations that the beer garden had to adhere to, highlighting the need for more amenities in growing areas like Bedford.
Councillor Jean St-Amand, representing Bedford-Wentworth, shared his satisfaction with the compromise between the business and the municipality. While he is open to discussing potential changes to municipal bylaws, St-Amand emphasized that the rules are different in suburban areas due to the reliance on personal vehicles for transportation.
Despite the regional council’s goal of reducing vehicle dependency throughout the municipality, St-Amand acknowledged that it will take time to improve public transit and infrastructure. He stated, “That’s something that we can’t see change overnight.”
The reopening of the Bedford Beer Garden signifies a positive step forward for the local community, providing residents with a unique outdoor venue to enjoy. As the summer progresses, it is hoped that the beer garden will continue to thrive and contribute to the vibrancy of the Bedford area.
