Three Beer Stores in northern Ontario closing in two weeks

The Beer Store in Cochrane will permanently close on Sept. 9, leaving some customers wondering why.

“Timmins, Ont., and they have three beer stores so eliminate one of those and keep ours here,” said Dan Arcand, a Beer Store customer in Cochrane.

“You know, now what? We're going to have to drive … 40 kilometres to go get a beer somewhere?”

Two Beer Stores in northwestern Ontario — Geraldton’s and Nipigon’s — are also closing Sept. 9.

The union representing Beer Store employees said it’s been told the closures are either for "major renovation issues, health and safety issues or volume issues."

The Beer Store told CTV News it had no one available to speak about the closures, but the decision will force employees to either relocate or take a severance package.

In Cochrane, that means a handful of people have decisions to make.

“I think five people have an opportunity to move to a neighbouring store in a seniority group, and I believe only one has chosen to do that, the others are choosing severance,” said John Nock, president, UFCW Canada Local 12R24.

The union invites people to take action and sign an online petition to save the Beer Store, but even Nock thinks it’s too late.

“I think government (has) made up their minds and the employer is, you know, they're not going to operate if they're not making money like they used to,” said Nock.

"You know, they said it was a break-even system before and I think now Premier (Doug Ford) is allowing convenience stores to set their own prices. My bet is the price of beer will go up, especially in northern Ontario."

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Cochrane customers are also wondering what they should do with their empties. According to the Beer Store’s website, it has contracts with dealers throughout Ontario to take them, but right now, there are no depots listed for Cochrane, Nipigon or Geraldton.

“It's just happening a little too quick I think,” said Arcand.

“I think the plan wasn't planned properly."

Arcand said the Beer Store can close 34 stores this year, 86 stores next year and unlimited stores in 2026.