The retail landscape for alcohol in Ontario is changing fast — and The Beer Store is feeling the impact. On Sunday, August 24, ten more Beer Store locations across the province shut their doors for good, marking another chapter in the company’s ongoing contraction as alcohol becomes more widely available in alternative outlets.
With the provincial government expanding access to beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages at convenience stores, supermarkets, and big-box retailers, traditional outlets like The Beer Store are being forced to adapt — or close.
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Not the First, and Certainly Not the Last
These ten store closures are part of a broader trend. The Beer Store has already shuttered multiple locations this year, and the company isn’t done yet. According to official statements, another 21 stores are scheduled to close in September, with 12 more set to close on October 19.
Full List: The 10 Beer Stores That Closed on August 24
These are the communities directly affected by the most recent round of closures:
Greater Toronto Area
- Toronto — 772 The Queensway
- Toronto — 720 Spadina Avenue
- Scarborough — 1089 Kingston Road
- Richmond Hill — 8825 Yonge Street
Other Ontario Communities
- Bothwell — 160 Oak Street
- Blind River — 115 Causley Street
- Garson — 3098 Falconbridge Hwy.
- Manotick — 1160 Beaverwood Road
- Powassan — 760 Main Street
- Atikokan — 711 Mackenzie Street East
A Shift in Strategy: Modernization Over Location
In a statement regarding the closures, Ozzie Ahmed, Vice President of Retail at The Beer Store, acknowledged the difficult nature of the decision:
“Closing a retail store is never an easy decision — our stores and employees contribute to communities in many ways and provide easy access to empty returns throughout Ontario.”
Despite the closures, Ahmed emphasized that the company is not retreating, but rather refocusing:
“We are modernizing operations and focusing on what we do best — selling ice-cold beer, offering great customer service, and maintaining a world-leading recycling system that gets customers their deposit money back.”
The Beer Store to Shut Down 12 Additional Locations Across Ontario Here’s Where
The Bigger Picture: What’s Driving the Change?
Ontario’s alcohol retail environment is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. With beer and other alcoholic beverages now available at more outlets than ever before, consumer habits are evolving. Convenience and accessibility are taking priority, forcing legacy retailers to rethink their strategies.
The Beer Store, once a near-monopoly in beer sales, now faces competition from everyday retailers, changing not only where Ontarians buy beer but how they think about alcohol purchases in general.
‘The Beer Store to Close 10 More Locations in Ontario, Including 5 in the GTA, Citing Tough Decision
What’s Next for The Beer Store?
The coming months will likely bring more closures, as the company continues to scale back its brick-and-mortar footprint. But it also opens the door for reinvention — possibly through enhanced online services, partnerships, or in-store experience upgrades at remaining locations.