Beer, cider sales coming to more York Region grocery stores

Stores in Newmarket, Aurora, Richmond Hill and Bradford on the list of 87 new locations

Yorkregion.com
Feb. 2, 2018
By Laura Finney

Several more grocery stores in York Region will soon be able to sell cider and beer.

On Feb. 2, the province announced they will expand beer and cider sales to 87 more grocery stores beginning in April.

"The rollout of beer and cider in grocery stores has increased convenience for consumers and expanded opportunities for grocers, breweries and cideries to grow their businesses and create more jobs," Finance Minister Charles Sousa said.

The winning grocers were selected through a competitive bidding processes held by the LCBO.

More than 200 grocery stores were already authorized to sell beer and cider, bringing the total number of locations up to 370. Up to 70 of these locations can also sell wine.

Ultimately, beer and cider will be available in up to 450 grocery stores, including up to 300 that will also sell wine.

Adding beer, cider and wine sales to grocery stores is part of the largest change to alcohol retailing in the province since prohibition.

By law, grocers selling beer, cider or wine must have designated sales areas and standard hours of sale, abide by limitations on package size and alcohol content, and meet staffing and social responsibility training requirements.

Locations in York Region:

Aurora: Starsky Fine Foods (15630 Bayview Ave.)

Richmond Hill: Enzo's No Frills (9325 Yonge St.), Loblaws (10909 Yonge St.) and Walmart (1070 Major Mackenzie Dr. E.)

Vaughan: Walmart (3600 Major Mackenzie Dr.)

Stouffville: Walmart (1050 Hoover Park Dr.)

Newmarket: Metro (1111 Davis Dr.), Vince's Market (869 Mulock Dr.)