Beer, wine, craft cocktails are coming to small Ontario stores this fall

Beer, wine and ready-made cocktails are coming to Ontario convenience stores this fall, according to some sources. Premier Doug Ford is dramatically accelerating his push to liberalize alcohol sales in Ontario. Stores, supermarkets and gas stations that are licensed to do so will be able to sell beer, wine and ready-to-eat cocktails starting this fall, well ahead of the previously set date of early 2026. Beer stores will also receive an undisclosed amount of taxpayer dollars. It can make the process of recycling and returning bottles easy.

Premier Doug Ford is expected to make the official announcement at a news conference in Etobicoke on Friday morning.

According to sources, he will announce that interested stores can apply for licenses in the coming weeks. Those who receive licenses can begin selling alcohol this fall. In a previous announcement on Dec. 13, 2023, Ford said about 8,500 new stores would be allowed to sell alcohol.

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