Starting today, you can buy beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages at all licensed convenience stores in Ontario, including 16 in North Bay.
It's the largest expansion of provincial alcohol sales since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago, says a government release. As of today, 4,187 convenience stores across Ontario are licensed to sell alcoholic beverages, in addition to nearly 3,000 other licensed retail outlets as well as takeaway options from licensed bars and restaurants. That's roughly 40 per cent of convenience stores in the province.
Twenty per cent of beer, cider, and premixed cocktails on display must be from small Ontario producers, while 10 per cent of wine on display must be devoted to small Ontario wineries.
However, spirits will only be available in Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores and outlets.
“With today’s announcement, we’re also creating new opportunities to produce and sell world-class Ontario-made beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages in nearly 4,200 convenience stores across the province,” said Premier Doug Ford.
It comes at a big cost. The Beer Store is owned by three international conglomerates and will be paid $225 million taxpayer dollars under an agreement that breaks a 10-year deal that previously gave The Beer Store reclusive rights.
The LCBO is also expected to take a hit in sales, and that will also come at a cost to taxpayers.
See: You can buy booze in corner stores starting tomorrow
By the end of October, as part of the government’s plan to expand alcohol sales, every eligible convenience, grocery and big-box grocery store in Ontario will be able to sell beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
“People finally have more options to responsibly and conveniently support local Ontario breweries and wineries – or whatever their drink-of-choice may be – even closer to home, and today’s announcement is another milestone in the government’s commitment to delivering more choice and convenience to consumers,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “In addition to supporting Ontario retailers, domestic producers, and workers in the alcohol industry, our vision for a better marketplace has come to life thanks to people and businesses across the province.”
The government is also permanently allowing the transfer of wine and spirits between locations with the same owner and/or affiliated licensees in order to help bars and restaurants effectively manage inventory and is allowing licensed grocery and convenience stores to display alcoholic beverages in multiple areas of a store while maintaining small-producer shelf space requirements as well as policies that will continue to ensure the safe and responsible sale of alcohol.
At least 20 per cent of the beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages on display in grocery and convenience stores must be produced by craft producers.
"Today is a milestone for the province of Ontario. Modernizing the retail sale of beverage alcohol is now a reality with the expansion of the province’s thousands of convenience stores," said Anne Kothawala, president of the Convenience Industry Council of Canada.
"Today is a fantastic day for Ontario’s craft beer lovers. Our local craft breweries are excited to be able to sell their fantastic products on convenience store shelves across the province starting today," says Scott Simmons, president of Ontario Craft Brewers The Ontario. "So, we encourage everyone who goes to pick up their next beer at their local convenience store to choose local - it means more jobs, more investment, and stronger communities right across Ontario. I think that’s something we can all Cheers!"
The list of North Bay-approved stores:
- Birchaven Variety - 163 Sage Road
- Circle K - 617 Main Street East
- Canadian Tire Gas - 1403 Algonquin Avenue
- Lakeview Grocery & Spykes Gas Bar - 3790 Trout Lake Road
- 6 Eleven Multi Mart - 512 Lakeshore Drive
- Downtown Variety - 180 Main Street East
- Esso/Waypoint Dugas Bay - 890 ON-17
- Circle K - 1100 Lavery Street
- Circle K - 1126 Fisher Street
- Circle K #26 - 1867 O'Brien Street
- Esso/Waypoint Trout Lake - 2660 Trout Lake Road
- Circle K - 524 Lakeshore Drive
- Esso/Waypoint Thibeault Hill - 2701 ON-11
- Max Multi Mart - 610 Lakeshore Drive
- Circle K - 621 Cassells Street
- Circle K - 1146 Cassells Street
Find a location that sells alcoholic beverages here.
