A lag in new laws means a vape store's able to set up metres from a Hastings primary school just weeks before a rule change that would scuttle it.
And it's outraged some community members.
They say to add insult to injury the businessman's offering to convert the space into a coffee shop if they refund the thousands of dollars he says it cost him to set up and apply for a specialist vape store license. A law change that prevents new stores within 300 metres of marae and schools doesnt come into force until the last week of September and the proposed store has already been signed off.
This afternoon they protested outside the store, Labour Tukituki MP Anna Lorck, who was with them, speaks to Lisa Owen.
Checkpoint contacted The Food Store on Gordon Road shortly after the protest.
A worker said the owner was not in the store but he would get back to us.
