Another Beer Store in London is set to shut down this spring, highlighting the ongoing reduction of the retailer’s physical locations throughout Ontario.
The company announced that its outlet at 1727 Richmond St. will close on March 22, which is part of four stores closing across the province on that day. The other closures include locations in Brampton, Etobicoke in suburban Toronto, and Hamilton.
Since the Ford government ended its exclusive retail contract in 2024 and started permitting beer sales in grocery stores, convenience shops, and big-box retailers, The Beer Store has closed many locations across Ontario. The company was mandated to maintain at least 300 of its 438 stores operational until the end of last year.
Ozzie Ahmed, vice-president of retail, mentioned that these closures are a response to shifts in the province’s alcohol market.
“The retail marketplace in Ontario continues to evolve and stabilize,” Ahmed said in a news release. “As a business, we are focused on operating a retail network that meets evolving consumer needs, providing the largest selection of beer and a world-class deposit return system.”
This north London closure marks the fourth store shut down in the city since 2024, leaving six Beer Store locations still open in London.
The decrease in Beer Stores will restrict where customers can return their empty alcohol cans and bottles for refunds on deposits. The government has indicated plans to broaden container returns to more retailers over time; however, details regarding how this transition will be managed remain under discussion.
The Beer Store stated it will support affected employees but hasn’t disclosed how many staff members at the north London location will be impacted.
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