Nearly 4,200 convenience stores in Ontario began selling alcohol today, and Premier Doug Ford was in Collingwood to celebrate.
Ford attended Circle K on First Street to mark the occasion.
Licensed stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages as part of what the province called "a phased expansion."
The government is also permanently allowing the transfer of wine and spirits between locations that have the same owner and/or affiliated licences as a way to help bars and restaurants effectively manage inventory and will allow licensed grocery and convenience stores to display alcoholic beverages in multiple areas of the store.
Additionally, at least 20 per cent of the beer, cider, wine, and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages on display in grocery and convenience stores is required to be produced by craft producers.
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 licence to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
In Collingwood, a total of nine convenience stores have received licences 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
