Crazy Ernies, Circle K among convenience stores vying for chance to sell booze

The application process to sell alcohol in corner stores has opened across Ontario and a number of local convenience stores have so far expressed an interest.

The phased rollout by the province will allow beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, including coolers, to be sold in convenience, grocery and big-box stores.

The Ontario PC government has said the program will increase choice and convenience for shoppers. The move will cost the public $225 million in payments to The Beer Store, which is owned by multinational brewing companies, for an end to its exclusive right to sell 12 and 24-packs of beer in an agreement that was set to expire at the end of next year.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) recently opened up its application process to convenience stores and a number of local establishments have already applied, including eight Circle K locations across the city, two Shell gas station stores, Krazy Ernie's Food Mart on McNabb Street, the Esso gas station on Bruce Street and McDougall Fuels on Trunk Road.

The Airways General Store in Prince Township has also made an application to the AGCO for the new program.

Convenience stores that are granted licences to sell alcoholic beverages will not be able to do so until Sept. 5. If a retailer's licence is revoked or if an application is denied, they cannot reapply for two years.

Alcohol is already sold in some corner stores situated in remote areas without close access to an LCBO retail store. At least one such LCBO Agency store on Hwy. 17 at Hwy. 548, the 17 East Trading Post, has been doing brisk business for alcohol sales during the current LCBO retail worker strike.

About 9,000 LCBO retail workers represented by Ontario Public Service Employees Union are on strike across the province after bargaining with the employer broke down last week. OPSEU has said one of the core issues is the province's plan to allow the sale of ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages in convenience stores and grocery stores.

"The Beer Store and LCBO will continue to play a significant role in the future marketplace, with The Beer Store continuing to be active in distribution, recycling and as a retailer," said the Ontario government in a press release. 

The Beer Store will continue to operate the province-wide recycling program for alcoholic beverage containers until at least 2031.