By Janelle Brennand
Eighty per cent of Centretown convenience stores would sell alcohol if it were legalized by the provincial government, a recent Centretown News survey reveals.
When asked whether they would sell beer or wine in their stores if the law were changed, 16 out of 20 convenience store owners said they would.
Most managers and owners say the addition of alcohol sales to their stores would mean more business and increased sales.
Endalk Habtemariam is the manager of the Quickie Gilmour store on Bank Street.
He says the possibility of legalizing alcohol sales in convenience stores makes him “very happy,” as competition from larger stores can be hard on sales.
“It’s very good for small business,” he says. “If they (the provincial government) don’t help us like that, we’ll go bankrupt.”
Last month, Finance Minister Greg Sorbara announced the provincial government’s appointment of an expert panel to review the distribution and sale of alcohol in Ontario. The panel’s review includes an investigation into the possibility of allowing beer and wine sales in the province’s convenience stores.
The public and other stakeholders in Ontario’s beverage alcohol system will be consulted before making recommendations this spring.
The current system dates back to the 1920s and the end of prohibition.
While the Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO) welcomes the review, it is too early in the process to say whether alcohol sales in convenience stores would be a positive change for the LCBO, or even whether such a legal change will be made, says Linda Hapak, a senior communications consultant for the LCBO.
“We can’t really speculate yet on the process,” she says. “That’s still to be determined.”
Some store owners have already decided alcohol sales will not play a part in the future of their businesses.
Of the four convenience store owners who said they would not sell beer or wine, all cited either personal, religious or safety reasons.
“It isn’t business, it’s a personal decision,” says Abdi Abubakar, owner of Mecca Food Mart on Booth Street. “I have a problem with alcohol.”
Other owners, like those of Heck’s Confectionery on O’Connor Street and Zesty Market on Elgin Street, say it is against their Muslim religion to sell alcoholic beverages.
Mike Wahab, owner of Mac’s on Elgin Street for the past eight years, says the decision is not his to make. The ultimate decision will be up to Mac’s franchise headquarters, he says.
“It’s not up to me,” says Wahab. “If they decide to sell beer, I can’t say no.”
While Wahab says Mac’s will likely be in favour of selling alcohol, he says he would personally disagree with the decision.
The fact that his store is open 24 hours a day and located near many popular bars is a big factor, he says.
“It’s not good for us, especially at night, for security and safety reasons,” says Wahab. “For us, selling beer is going to be hard, hard work.”