These four Ontario Beer Stores will permanently close next month

The Beer Store has announced the closure of four more retail outlets next months, including two in Durham Region.

The Beer Store at 3950 Brock St. N. in Whitby, as well as stores in Haliburton (15 Hops Drive) and Schomberg (17250 Highway 27) will close Jan. 1.

One week later, the store on Midtown Drive in Oshawa, immediately north of Midtown Mall, will close, with the store’s last day Jan. 18.

“The Beer Store is evolving operations to meet the changing needs of a modernized retail market. Unfortunately, this includes making the difficult decision to close retail locations. We know this is difficult news for consumers, recyclers and our employees,” said Beer Store Retail Sales Vice-President Ozzie Ahmed.

“The Beer Store recognizes the contributions our employees make to the business and in the communities where we operate. All efforts will be made to support employees through this process in alignment with commitments and agreements.”

The store closing adds to numerous closures that have already occurred amid the province’s expanded alcohol marketplace, including seven stores last month.

The Beer Store has launched a new Empty Return Locator to find a Beer Store or alternative retailer that is accepting empties. Consumers can find the locators at www.thebeerstore.ca. Select ‘Returning Empties’ and ‘Where to Return Empties’ in the navigation bar.

All grocery stores that sell alcohol were required to accept the return of empties and refund customer deposits starting January 1 but new agreements in late 2025 allow many grocers to avoid in-store collection by referring customers to The Beer Store instead, and paying for the costs of those returns.