Many local convenience stores across the area will be selling beer and other alcoholic beverages this fall.
According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario website, a total of 25 convenience stores in Collingwood, Clearview, The Blue Mountains, Grey Highlands and Meaford have successfully received a license to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages when the program starts on September 5.
Earlier this year, the provincial government announced that after Sept. 5, convenience stores would be able to sell a variety of alcoholic beverages. Approved stores will be permitted to sell the products between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.
The program is part of the provincial government’s plan to expand alcohol sales originally announced in May 2024. Every convenience, grocery and big-box store in Ontario will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages if they choose to do so.
The government recently sped up the program for grocery stories, announcing that licensed grocery stores could begin selling ready-to-drink and large beer packs on July 18, 2024.
The province says, over time, this new, more open marketplace will introduce up to an estimated 8,500 new stores where these products can be sold, the largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago.
In Collingwood, a total of nine convenience stores have received licenses under the program. They are:
- Canadian Tire gas bar on Balsam Street
- On the Run Ultramar on Highway 26
- Circle K on Cameron Street
- Kitchen Food Fair on First Street
- Circle K Convenience and Esso gas bar on Hurontario Street
- Canco One Stop on Hume Street
- Circle K on First Street
- Benison Fuel and Variety on First Street
- SB Fuel and Collingwood Variety on Sixth Street
In The Blue Mountains, just one store has received a license at this point in the process. It is:
- Circle K on Arthur Street
In The Blue Mountains, the Circle K in Craigleith has been selling beer, wine and other products for a number of years as an LCBO outlet.
In the Municipality of Grey Highlands, three stores in Markdale and Flesherton have been licensed. They are:
- In Markdale, the Sunny and Moon gas station on Toronto Street North (Highway 10).
- In Flesherton, the Shell gas station and Convenience Store on Collingwood Street and the Esso gas station and convenience store on Sydenham Street.
In Grey Highlands, the Top of the Rock store in Eugenia and the Feversham Heritage General store have been LCBO outlets for a number of years.
In Clearview, six stores have received licenses. They are:
- Stayner Convenience on Highway 26
- Ultramar gas station on Highway 26 (Stayner)
- Circle K/Esso gas station on Highway 26 (Stayner)
- Cashtown Esso on County Road 42
- Shell Station at County Road 10 and Highway 26
- Jug City on County Road 9 in Creemore.
In Meaford, six stores have been approved for licenses. They are:
- Meaford Convenience - Esso station on Sykes Street (Highway 26)
- Jet Variety on Sykes Street (Highway 26)
- Meaford Convenience and Pet Stop on Sykes Street (Highway 26)
- Ultramar gas station on Sykes Street (Highway 26)
- Circle K on Sykes Street (Highway 26)
- Meaford Convenience Plus in downtown Meaford on Sykes Street (Highway 26)
