The Beer Store locations in the Ottawa neighbourhood of Bells Corners and in Kingston are among 23 locations across Ontario set to close this month, in response to the expansion of beer and wine into convenience and grocery stores across the province.
The United Food and Commercial Workers Local 12R24 confirmed to CTV News Ottawa the Beer Store at 82 North Side Rd. in Bells Corners is set to close Feb. 28.
It will be one of the Beer Store locations that have closed since the Ford government announced the expansion of beer and wine into convenience stores. The closures also include the Kingston’s Princess Street location.
President John Nock says that across Ontario, there are 6,500 unionized workers, and that any affected are being offered positions at other locations or being offered buy outs.
He says that there are more closures expected, and workers have raised concerns.
“Everybody’s anxious, they’re nervous. They don’t know what to expect. You know, it’s not like this is happening now - it’s every few months,” he says. “So, the employer will decide what’s closing and give us that information. And everybody’s asking, ‘am I next? Is my store next?’”
Of the 405 Beer Store locations in Ontario, there are 19 locations in Ottawa, and 50 locations across eastern Ontario.
The Beer Store would not confirm whether the location in Bells Corners is closing at the end of the month.
“Like any retailer in today’s evolving marketplace for beverage alcohol, we are continually evaluating our business operations to ensure we’re meeting the needs of our customers and adapting to change,” the Beer Store said in a statement to CTV News Ottawa. “The Beer Store is closely watching our retail stores and making decisions on what makes the most sense for how we operate as a business. Any decision we make considers our commitment to serving our customers. There is no further information to share with respect to the retail location you referenced, or other retail locations at this time.”
Nock says that among those that have already shut in eastern Ontario are the Westport and Marmara stores. Toronto Beer Stores have also been affected.
