Alcohol potentially a ‘saving grace’ for Ontario convenience stores as sales begin
“It’s going to save a lot of stores from potential closure. This will give us the boost of foot traffic that we need to survive,” said Yaldo, who also serves as chair of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association.
Kkritika Suri
Terry Yaldo never thought this day would arrive.
The owner of Midway Convenience in Windsor, Ontario, expressed that the introduction of alcohol sales in convenience stores, which began across the province on Thursday, will be a "lifeline" for many small businesses.
"It’s going to prevent a lot of stores from shutting down. This will give us the increase in foot traffic we need to stay afloat," said Yaldo, who also serves as chair of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association.
"We’re expecting anywhere from a 30 to 40 per cent increase in overall sales and foot traffic. That could be the lifeline for many small businesses."
The decision to allow Ontario convenience stores to sell beer, wine, and ready-to-drink products was fast-tracked earlier this year.
In May, the Ford government paid The Beer Store $225 million to renegotiate its agreement on alcohol sales, reducing its market dominance and enabling up to 8,500 new locations to sell alcohol.
The agreement has led to a phased expansion. Licensed grocery stores were allowed to sell additional products, followed by new licenses for convenience stores. The expansion will conclude in October when more grocery stores receive licenses to sell alcohol.
By late August, over 4,100 convenience stores had signed up to sell alcohol. Previously, alcohol was only available at the LCBO, The Beer Store, Wine Rack, and select grocery stores.
The expansion plan was originally announced before the 2018 election and finalized last winter, with a commitment to implement the policy by 2026. It was rolled out earlier than expected in July when grocery stores were permitted to sell ready-to-drink beverages and larger beer packs.
The decision to accelerate the plan, as previously reported by Global News, was met with opposition from road safety and addiction experts.
Convenience stores ‘well-prepared’ for the change: Ford
The expansion of alcohol sales to thousands of convenience stores has raised concerns.
Opposition parties have called it a “billion-dollar booze boondoggle,” questioning the significant cost of implementing the policy.
The Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU), representing LCBO workers, has voiced concerns over the potential implications of wider alcohol access, particularly around reduced ID checks at busy convenience stores compared to provincial liquor outlets.
OPSEU president JP Hornick warned that the expansion could lead to increased exposure to alcohol for minors.
“If the goal was to protect people, they should think about how they’re protecting kids who will now have more access to alcohol in convenience stores and gas stations,” Hornick said in August.
While cannabis stores must be located at least 150 metres from schools, no similar restrictions apply to alcohol sales.
Anne Leonard, president of Arrive Alive, cautioned that private alcohol retailers could face pressure to make sales, even to inappropriate customers.
“We prefer to see alcohol sold in government stores, where there’s no financial incentive to sell to minors or intoxicated people,” she said in August. “In private stores, refusing a sale means losing a bit of profit.”
Oweis Miand, a convenience store owner in Peel Region, told Global News his store would sell alcohol during the permitted hours of 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., but he would not serve customers who appeared intoxicated or underage.
"If they look intoxicated or like minors, obviously I won’t be serving them,” he said.
On Tuesday, Premier Ford encouraged convenience stores to follow the rules but emphasized that they are well-suited for the expansion.
“They’re well-prepared. They’ve handled tobacco and lottery tickets, now it’s beer and wine,” he said at a press conference. “They’ll be very responsible.”
Patience urged during rollout: Yaldo
Many convenience store owners are enthusiastic about the change.
Anne Kothawala, president and CEO of the Convenience Industry Council of Canada, welcomed the end of what she called "outdated, prohibition-era rules" in Ontario.
“Allowing beer, wine, and coolers to be sold in our stores will open new revenue streams for local businesses and meet consumer demand in a competitive market,” Kothawala said. “It will also offer thousands of Ontario retailers and producers the opportunity to grow their businesses.”
Yaldo urged Ontarians to be patient as stores adjust to this new development.
“I just hope people will be patient as we adapt. Many independent stores are excited, and we hope customers will visit their local stores and see the positive changes,” he said.
“Especially during holidays when LCBO or Beer Stores are closed, our stores are open year-round. We’re ready to serve our customers and ensure a great experience for everyone.”
