Windsor convenience stores eager to sell alcohol — dozens have signed up for licences

As grocery stores across the province gear up to sell more kinds of alcohol, a representative of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association says variety stores are eager to start selling it for the first time.

"We've been waiting decades for this," said Terry Yaldo, chair of the OCSA and owner of Midway Convenience in Windsor.

"We can definitely use the extra sales, the extra foot traffic, and at the end of the day — it's what the consumers want."

Doug Ford's government announced on Monday that — in the midst of the strike by LCBO workers — plans to expand alcohol sales in supermarkets and big-box stores have been accelerated.

As of this Thursday, licensed grocery stores will be allowed to order and sell ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages and large-sized beer packs — a rule change that originally wasn't scheduled to happen until August.

Approximately 450 grocery stores across Ontario will be affected by the recent change.

But Yaldo pointed out that many more businesses will be affected when Ontario allows alcohol sales at convenience stores — which will take effect on Sept. 5. The government made the announcement in May.

Midway Convenience, located on Wyandotte Street East near Pillette Road, is just one of many stores anticipating the date.

As of this week, 79 variety stores and gas stations in Windsor have been approved for Convenience Store Licences (CSLs) from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

Once the CSLs come into effect, stores like Yaldo's will be able to carry ready-to-drink products such as canned and bottled beer, hard cider, wine coolers and more.

Yaldo said he'd like to see more discussion of the positive impact this will have on local companies.

"You know, 20 per cent of our shelf space is going to be dedicated to local craft beers, local wineries," he said. "We want to grow, and we want to see them grow, and vice versa. They will have access to shelf space that they never had access to before — a bigger consumer base."

Yaldo noted that just across the border in Michigan, convenience stores have been allowed to carry beer, wine, and distilled spirits for generations. "I think it's about time our government treated us all like adults," he said.

But the Ontario Public Service Employees Union, which represents LCBO workers, has spoken against changing alcohol retail rules. According to the union, Doug Ford's agenda to sell alcohol "everywhere" will lead to the closure of LCBO stores and the loss of many jobs.