Dozens of area stores are selling cold ones today.
As of 7 a.m., convenience stores can sell alcoholic beverages. It's part of a promise Premier Doug Ford made earlier this year to expand alcohol sales in Ontario.
This is the second phase of the plan.
In July, grocery stores already licensed to sell beer, cider and wine were able to add ready-to-drink beverages and larger cases of beer and coolers to their shelves.
The second phase is for eligible convenience stores to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, with the final phase opening up sales to all egilible grocery and big-box stores.
The application process for convenience stores opened in June and became a contentious issue this summer during the nearly three-week-long LCBO strike.
“People finally have more options to responsibly and conveniently support local Ontario breweries and wineries – or whatever their drink-of-choice may be – even closer to home, and today’s announcement is another milestone in the government’s commitment to deliver more choice and convenience to consumers,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance, in a news release.
“In addition to supporting Ontario retailers, domestic producers and workers in the alcohol industry, our vision for a better marketplace has come to life thanks to people and businesses across the province.”
If you're looking for a store now selling booze, check out this map showing what businesses have been given Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) licenses.
Here's what convenience stores have picked up a licence to sell alcohol:
Timmins
- Canadian Tire Gas and Convenience, 2207 Riverside Dr.
- Chez Nous, 20 Vimy Ave.
- Circle K, 20 Victoria Ave.
- Circle K, 287 Algonquin Blvd. W.
- Circle K, 4327 Harold Ave., South Porcupine
- Circle K, 565 Algonquin Blvd. E.
- Circle K, 60 Dwyer Ave., Schumacher
- Esso Gas and Convenience Store, 2154 Riverside Dr.
- Esso Gas and Convenience Store, 562 Algonquin Blvd. E.
- Esso Gas and Convenience Store, 690 River Park Rd.
- Hilltop Confectionery, 276 Sixth Ave.
- Laundry Macks, 127 Mountjoy St. S.
- McDonald’s Pharmacy, 67 Bruce Ave., South Porcupine
- Mobil Gas and Convenience Store, 315 Airport Rd.
- Mom’s Fries and Variety, 473 Pine St. S.
- Mountjoy Variety, 497 Mountjoy St. S.
- Petro Canada Gas and Convenience, 4310 Harold Ave.
- Tiffany’s Take Out and Delivery, 83 Wende Ave.
- Timmins Bazaar, 255A 3rd Ave.
- The Cache Campground, Highway 144, Kenogamissi Lake
Cochrane
- Angel's Mini Mart, 136 Railway St.
- Cochrane Truck Stop, 99 Hwy. 11 S.
- Costcan Liquor, 143 Fourth St. W.
Iroquois Falls
- The New Myna Convenience, 231 Devonshire Ave.
Matheson
- D&I Confectionary, 412 5th Ave.
- Esso Gas and Convenience Store, 430 Hwy. 11
- Tanny Convenience Store, 362 Macdougall St.
The LCBO is still the main seller of hard liquor, along with distillery retail stores and LCBO outlets. The Beer Store is also still open and is the drop-off point for empties until at least 2031.
