Another London Beer Store is closing, along with 4 others across Ontario

A Beer Store location in London is one of five across Ontario set to close at the end of April, marking the second Beer Store closure in the city, among dozens in the province since the year began.

The Beer Store's 514 Adelaide St. location will close on April 27. It will bring the total tally of stores closed in the province since May 2024 to 28, according to John Nock, president of the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 12R24, which represents all Beer Store workers in Ontario.

Other stores set to close in the latest round of closures are in Kitchener, Erin, Hearst and Corunna.

Nock worries the closures so far are an ill omen for what could ultimately be even more closures down the line.

"My concern is obviously our members. They've sold beer responsibly in this province for going on 100 years. The next fear is for the public," said Nock, adding that he believes beer prices will rise as more closures occur, and more of the market share for beer will go to grocery and convenience stores that don't have price caps.

So far, the union said 23 Beer Stores across the province have shut down since Doug Ford's government accelerated the sale of beer, wine and ready-made cocktails in corner stores, gas stations and supermarkets last May.

Nock said the agreement that allowed the province to accelerate that change stipulates that at least 300 Beer Store locations must stay open until the end of 2025, but after that, all bets are off.

Employees affected by closures so far have been able to work in other Beer Stores nearby, but if many more stores close, there will be too many employees for that solution to be viable, he said.

All the while, Nock also expressed concerns over the Ontario Deposit Return Program.

Currently, all stores that wish to sell beer must accept and recycle empty beer containers. Stores within five kilometres of a Beer Store Location until Jan. 1, 2026. Store owners across the province have pushed back against the rules, claiming the expectations are untenable.

Nock believes grocery stores that don't agree with the rules won't be punished by the government.

"There's been complaints made to AGCO and really nothing's come of them. These people are still selling beer and wine," Nock said.

To keep Beer Stores open, and prevent his other concerns coming true, Nock said he hopes more people will choose to shop there rather than grocery and convenience stores.

"My fear is if people aren't shopping at the Beer Store as much, they'll close even more stores," he said.