New rules allow alcohol sales at convenience stores
The parking lot at Jug City on County Road 9 in Creemore is a busy spot these days. Jug City added beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages to its product mix effective Sept. 5. The change comes as the Ontario government expands the province’s beverage alcohol marketplace to increase choice and convenience for consumers. According to Premier Doug Ford with alcohol being sold in convenience stores, people will now have one more option to purchase a case of beer or a bottle of wine on the way to the cottage or a summer barbecue.
Jug City owner Helen Chung says there has been a definite uptick in traffic to the store.
“We’ve seen a few more people through the week, but weekends have been very busy,” she’s observed.
Bob Chung says consumers have been waiting for this change.
“For years, many customers have been coming in after 6 p.m. asking where they can buy beer,” he said. “Now we can help them.”
Helen says all their staff were required to complete “Store Serve” training in the safe and responsible handling of alcohol sales, and they are diligently checking ID.
“For anyone who appears to be under 25,” she says, “we are asking for proof of age or we don’t sell to them.”
In the first phase of the rollout, convenience stores are limited to Ontario-made products. They will be permitted to add imported beer and wine starting in October. Creemore Springs Brewery products are popular with the Jug City clientele. They sold out quickly in the first week.
Jug City has been a recycling depot for beverage empties for the entire 15 years the Chungs have owned the business. Helen says that has given them a unique edge in choosing their product mix.
“We can see from the empties what people like to drink,” she said.
All products must be ordered from the LCBO, and marked up within a specific range. Stores are not permitted to offer discounts or promotions.
The new regulations allow convenience stores to convert up to half of their floor space to alcohol sales. In the case of Jug City, Bob says they have converted about 40 per cent of the store, including a walk-in cooler. The province will permit alcohol sales between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Jug City will continue to close at 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday, and Sundays at 8 p.m.
In a news release from the Office of the Premier, Minister of Finance Peter Bethenfalvy states, “Our responsible and balanced approach treats Ontario consumers like adults by giving them more choice and convenience, while also supporting Ontario retailers, domestic producers and workers in the alcohol industry.”
