City investigates holiday shopping

Sault City Councillors agreed Monday night to investigate the possibility of wide-open holiday shopping, even on Christmas, Good Friday and Easter.

With only Ward 3 Councillor Derik Brandt opposed, Council voted to have the city's legal department study the idea, which would involve designating the Soo a tourist area.

Joe Young, general manager of the Sault's Canadian Tire store, is pushing Council to allow holiday shopping, pointing out that retailers across the river operate without similar restrictions.

Last year, both the Wal-mart and K-Mart in Soo, Michigan opened on the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday, Young said.

The assistant city solicitor is expected to have a report ready for the next meeting of Council on February 25, but councillors aren't expected to decide the issue until sometime in April.

In other business, Council approved new tourist directional signs, developed in conjunction with the Sault Ste. Marie Chamber of Commerce.

The signs point the way to attractions such as the Sault Locks, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre and Ermatinger House.

Participating attractions will contribute almost $64,000 toward the cost of the signage and its maintenance.

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