TORONTO, ON- Residents of Ontario’s cottage country may have some more liquor options in the near future.
According to an announcement by the Progressive Conservative government made today, the Liqour Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) will be establishing agency stores in 200 “under-served” communities across the province. The government has also said 87 more grocery stores will be allowed to sell cider, wine and beer in September.
Those locations will be chosen by a lottery process.
“Whether driving to the cottage or running errands, consumers across Ontario will now have more places to pick up beer, wine and other alcoholic beverages,” said Vic Fedeli, Minister of Finance, in the announcement.
“Our government is committed to delivering greater choice and convenience to individuals and families, and this expansion is just the beginning.”
Up to 60 of the new convenience outlet stores are expected to open in August, and up to 150 new locations are expected to open by December. Additional stores would open next spring.
The new stores will be called “LCBO Convenience Outlets”, and the LCBO is looking for applications from local retailers in the new communities.
The following locations in Vista Radio’s Cottage Country cluster have been included in the announcement for those outlets:
- Milford Bay
- Minett
- Utterson
- Nobel
- Emsdale
- Rolphton
- Wolseley Bay
- Sprucedale
- Irondale
- Norland
- Harcourt
- Windermere
The announcement comes after the province announced the end of it’s contract with The Beer Store, which prompted concern over a potential lawsuit from the brewing companies that own the outlet.
A full list of the new locations can be found here: http://www.doingbusinesswithlcbo.com/sdre/AgencyStores/downloads/Appendix%20A-%20LCO%20Community%20Locations.pdf