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CONVENIENCE stores have started to sell alcohol in Ontario in an expansion plan that is thrilling shoppers and businesses.
Eligible convenience stores will now be able to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink cocktails.
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Business owners are excited about the change and look forward to better sales.
“I have to admit, I’m excited, we’re all excited because sales are down because of the bad economy,” said Kenny Shim, a store owner and the president of the Ontario Convenience Store Association, according to Toronto Sun.
The association represents about 7,000 to 10,000 convenience stores in Ontario, Canada.
As of Tuesday, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario said it had granted 4,200 liquor licenses to eligible convenience, which is about 40%, per the outlet.
Of the stores with newly granted licenses, about 2,000 have ordered alcohol from the Liquor Control Board of Ontario, which is an exclusive wholesaler for corner stores.
‘VERY HAPPY’
Corner stores across Ontario have been struggling and they see the new alcohol sales as extremely promising.
“We are very happy and I hope our sales will be good, not 30 to 40 percent, but it will increase,” said Muhammad Ikram, who owns an INS Market franchise in Toronto, per the outer.
With the sale of alcohol, Ikram also expects the sales of chips, tobacco, and soda to increase as well.
Shim had a similar assumption about the rise of sales when alcohol became available in stores.
“When people come to buy a beer, they’ll buy some peanuts, maybe some cups for beer pong, some beef jerky, bottle openers, that kind of stuff,” he said.
The exciting new expansion isn’t only exciting business owners.
Customer Jay Landon said he was excited to have accessible alcohol.
“It’s good that a person like myself that’s not an addict can get alcohol if I need it, if I’m having a party or a last minute thing and I wanted to drink, I can buy one,” he said at a store in downtown Toronto, per Toronto Sun.
THE RULES
Convenience stores with liquor licenses can only sell alcohol from 7 am to 11 pm.
New booze rules
Ontatio, Canada has rolled out an alcohol expansion plan to convienence and grocery stores in the province.
Before September 5, it was illegal to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages in a convenience store.
Now, due to the province’s three-part expansion plan, 4,200 convenience stores have their liquor license.
They can only sell alcohol from 7 am to 11 pm and staff must be trained to properly sell alcohol.
The drinking age is 19 years old in Ontario, so staff must be prepared to check identification.
Also, 20% of the beer, cider, and pre-made drinks need to be from local breweries, while 10% of win needs to be from Ontario wineries.
However, if you want to purchase spirits, they will only be available in Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores and outlets, per Toronto Sun.
All the staff must be trained on how to sell alcohol and be ready to ask for valid identification if someone appears too young.
In Ontario, the legal drinking age is 19-years-old.
The stores must have at least 20% of their beer, cider, and pre-made cocktails made at small Ontario breweries and cideries.
At least 10% of the wine must also be from Ontario wineries.
FURTHER EXPANSION
This is only the second part of Ontario’s three-part plan.
The first part rolled out on August 1 and allowed 450 grocery stores to sell ready-to-drink beverages if they were already licensed to sell beer, wine, or cider, per News Ontario.
In the final phase, Ontario residents can look forward to all eligible grocery and big-box stores being able to sell beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages in larger pack sizes on October 31.
Despite the exciting news, there are still some limitations.
If you want to purchase spirits, they will only be available in Liquor Control Board of Ontario stores and outlets, per Toronto Sun.
