CLOSURE: Over 20 Beer Store locations shut across Ontario [Video]

Beer Store locations across Ontario are closing as more stores are allowed to sell alcohol.

Last May, Premier Doug Ford announced a deal with The Beer Store for $225 million, breaking a 10-year agreement with the company to speed up the process of allowing beer sales in convenience stores and grocery stores.

By August, the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario had approved 4,146 convenience store licenses to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages. The province estimates that up to 8,500 stores throughout Ontario will sell alcohol in the future.

As more shops offer the beverages, The Beer Store has started to close locations.

John Nock, president of UFCW Canada Local 12R24, which represents The Beer Store workers, told INsauga.com that since May 2024 at least 23 Beer Store locations had closed or will close by the end of February.

“There will probably be more, and we don’t know yet where or when,” Nock said.

Stores that have closed include three …