The Beer Store plans to shut down 11 more retail locations in Ontario as of July 6, bringing the overall number of closures to more than 40 since last spring.
The company announced this week its plans to shutter two stores each in Toronto, Oakville, and Windsor as well as one store each in Aurora, Coboconk, Cornwall, Richmond Hill, and Wiarton.
“The Beer Store is modernizing operations to meet the needs of marketplace—this means making the difficult decision to close some stores,” The Beer Store vice president of retail Ozzie Ahmed said in a press release. “We know this will be disappointing to many customers and our valued employees. We don’t make this decision lightly; it is part of our ongoing commitment to business sustainability and serving the needs of our customers.”
The company’s latest announcement comes less than one month after it announced four store closures as of June 15 and one month after five stores permanently shut their doors.
Stores in Kitchener, Erin, London, Corunna, and Heart closed on April 27.
The stores slated for closure next month include two in Toronto and one each in Ottawa and Woodbridge.
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The Ontario alcohol market has seen substantial changes since Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative government authorized convenience stores, grocers, and big box retailers to sell beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages in September 2024.
The provincial government’s plan resulted in a break from The Beer Store, which had formerly held an exclusive retail contract for alcohol with the province.
The province earmarked a $225 million payment to the Beer Store in its last budget for the early termination of its exclusive 10-year contract with the retailer. The contract was set to expire at the end of 2025. The province’s deal with the Beer Store also incorporated strategies to minimize store closures.
The Beer Store has announced multiple closures since signing the agreement with the province to keep at least 300 of its locations open until the end of this year. Despite announcing the closures, it has not dipped below the set threshold. In 2026, the company will have the freedom to close any number of stores it chooses.
The Beer Store first opened in 1927 and is owned by Ontario-based brewers.
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