Winnipeg cafe owner could face jail time over a grease trap

The owner of a smallcafe in Winnipeg is collecting thousands of signatures to support his fight against thecity; one thatbroke out over a grease trap.

BillFugler, owner of the Neighbourhood Bookstore and Cafe inWolseley, could be fined $50,000 and forced to spend six months behind bars because his business doesn't have the special trap, which connectsto the sink.

According toFugler, the cafe, which serves sandwiches and desserts,doesn't need the trap because it doesn't produce grease.

But he's been told the city is concerned aboutmayonnaise and fats from desserts being washed down the drain.

Throughout Winnipeg, there is acity bylaw that requires any establishment serving food to have a grease trap.Getting one would costFugler$3,000 to $5,000 a movehe says could put him out of business because he only pulls in about $3,000 a week in the slower months of January, February and March.

"In the job it says, you know, every place that produces any amount of food has to have a grease trap. And I understand that. But I don't think the city really wants to put 10 people out of work and close usdown,"Fuglersaid.

"And I can't understand why the city isn't saying 'here's how we can help you, here's what we can do.'"

The city did, in fact, offer an exception to the grease trap law forFugler: Switch to disposable plates and cups and he wouldn't need one.

Fuglersays that's not an option.

"I would like the city to grant me a waiver.I would like them to save the thousands of dollars, which they've spent on prosecuting me and pursuing me in this case,"Fuglersaid.

According toFugler, the disagreement with the city started in 2010. He is scheduled to make a court appearance on Feb. 12.

What would he like to see happen?

"Just check every six months," he said, referring to the City of Winnipeg.

"Ifwe start using grease, if we start producing grease, then we'll gladly install it."