Seventy-six new independent and large grocery stores in communities across Ontario will be authorized to sell beer and cider as of June 30, including a second in North Bay and another in Parry Sound.
Parker's Your Independent Grocer, at the Northgate site, and the Sobey's on Pine St. in Parry Sound are the latest approved.
Sobey's on Algonquin Ave. was approved last year.
These are in addition to the 130 grocery stores across the province currently authorized to sell beer and cider - 70 of which can also sell wine.
The following retail requirements apply to authorized grocers:
- The sale of wine, beer and cider adheres to standard hours: Monday to Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
- Limitations to alcohol by volume - maximum of 7.1 per cent for beer and cider, and 18 per cent for wine
- Beer and cider continue to be sold in a six-pack or less or up to 750 mL per container
- Wine can be sold in maximum four-litre containers
- Staff selling alcohol must be a minimum of 18 years of age and be trained on Ontario's standards for social responsibility, including making sure customers under the age of 19 and intoxicated individuals do not purchase alcohol
- Grocers are required to adhere to uniform and minimum pricing for wine, beer and cider
