CLOSURE: 10 more Beer Stores shutting down this weekend in Ontario

Ontario’s expanded alcohol marketplace continues to take a hit on The Beer Store.

Another round of closures is set to take place this weekend after numerous locations have already shut their doors for good.

The Ontario government expanded the sales of beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails to convenience stores and more grocery stores last year.

“The retail market for beer is changing in Ontario and for The Beer Store that means making the difficult decision to close some retail locations,” Ozzie Ahmed, the vice president of retail at The Beer Store, said in a news release regarding the closures slated for this upcoming Sunday.

At the end of the business day on Sunday, 10 more Beer Stores will be shutting down.

Later this month, on Sept. 28, another 11 locations will close. Following that, more closures are scheduled for October and also November.

“This is not an easy decision and not one we make lightly,” Ahmed said.

The government signed an agreement with The Beer Store providing up to $225 million to help the company make a stable transition, protect jobs and ensure the availability of bottle return and recycling.

Part of the new agreement includes keeping at least 300 stores open until Dec. 31.

The Beer Store said that starting Jan. 1, all grocery stores that sell alcohol will be required to accept empties and refund customer deposits.

Here’s a look at the 10 Beer Store locations that will be shutting down on Sunday: 

• Toronto — 636 Greenwood Avenue
• Scarborough — 4479 Kingston Road
• Unionville — 4681 Hwy # 7
• Burlington — 2020 Appleby Line
• Hamilton — 229 Dundurn Street South
• Ridgetown — Erie Street South
• Northbrook — 12334 Hwy. #41
• Ottawa — 1910 St. Laurent Boulevard
• Deep River — 3322 5 Hwy. #17
• Sioux Lookout — 41 Front Street

— With files from The Canadian Press