A number of Beer Store locations in Ontario are closing immediately
The Beer Store locations across Ontario are continuing to close their doors, with several Toronto-area outlets among those slated to shut down on Friday, Feb. 28.
The recent closures mark another chapter in the ongoing saga of the chain’s struggle against rising competition through the province’s recent expansion of alcohol sales to convenience stores.
On Feb. 28, the following Beer Store locations are set to close their doors, according to the United Food and Commercial Workers (UFCW) Local 12R24:
- 380 Donlands Ave., East York
- 10 The East Mall Cres., Etobicoke
- 500 Princess St., Kingston
- 16715 Yonge St., Newmarket
- 2568 Finch Ave. W., North York
- 82 Northside Rd., Ottawa
- 5544 Lawrence Ave. E., Scarborough
- 3431 St. Clair Ave. E., Scarborough
These closures are just the latest in a series of reductions in the Beer Store’s presence in Ontario.
Future of The Beer Store in Ontario uncertain beyond 2026 https://t.co/iacHPeVNJa
— blogTO (@blogTO) May 28, 2024
Three Toronto locations have already shut down, including stores at Yonge and Dundas, Queens Quay, and Roncesvalles.
Stores in towns like Barry’s Bay, Marmora, Geraldton, Nipigon, Cochrane and Stratford closed last year, while earlier this year, closures also took place in Burlington, London, Scarborough, Thedford, Westport and Chapleau.
The reasons behind these closures are certainly no mystery, according to John Nock, president of UFCW Local 12R24, the union that represents Beer Store workers across Ontario.
“This is definitely a direct cause of the beer market being opened up,” Nock told blogTO last month, adding that the closures are “all due to Ford allowing alcohol to be sold in convenience and most grocery stores.”
Since last May, 23 of the chain’s locations have either already closed or are set to close this Friday. However, that number could soon increase if no agreements are made to stabilize The Beer Store in the face of mounting competition from grocery stores, convenience stores, and other big-box retailers.
“According to the early implementation agreement, The Beer Store must keep 300 stores open until the end of 2025,” Nock confirmed to blogTO. “After that, there is no limit on closures.”
In response to the rapidly changing alcohol market, The Beer Store has collaborated with the Ontario government to implement several strategies aimed at boosting revenue, including allowing, in theory, the sale of lottery tickets and non-beer items. However, as the closures indicate, these strategies must not suffice to turn the tide.
The rapid shift in Ontario’s alcohol retail landscape has not only affected The Beer Store but has also raised concerns among local craft brewers. Last year, founders of local breweries Left Field and Blood Brothers expressed their worries to blogTO about how the policy changes could impact their businesses.
“It is very apparent that foreign macro brewers are the ones benefiting from this expansion. One of our largest streams of revenue (our bottle shop) is now up for competition with every corner store in our area. Even though we would gladly sell these corner stores our products, they are not interested in selling craft beer,” the Blood Brothers team told blogTO.
“We were very skeptical of the benefits for small craft brewers. It is very apparent that foreign macro brewers are the ones benefiting from this expansion.”