New Beer Store locations set to be shuttered, union fears more closures will follow
A steady stream of announcements from the Beer Store continues with the news the retail giant will shutter more locations in August as it keeps ramping down the number of storefronts it operates.
On Monday, the Beer Store confirmed another 10 of its spaces were slated for closure, a response to Ontario’s decision to allow corner, grocery and big box stores to sell alcohol.
The Beer Store — which is owned by Molson, Labatt and Sleeman — has announced store closures in dribs and drabs throughout the year. The latest announcement takes the total number of stores closed to more than 70, according to the union representing workers at The Beer Store.
Closing Beer Stores across the province was triggered by the Ford government ending its exclusivity agreement with the retailer and allowing other locations to sell beer, wine and mixed drinks.
In May 2024, Ontario announced a $225 million agreement with the Beer Store to break its contract early and liberalize alcohol sales in the province. The agreement said some stores could be closed, but at least 300 Beer Store locations should be kept open until the end of 2025.
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The Beer Store will be allowed to close as many locations as it chooses from Jan. 1, 2026, onwards.
A news release for The Beer Store confirming the latest round of closures, which come into effect on Aug. 24, said the decision was “never easy” to make.
“The Beer Store recognises the contributions our employees make to the business,” the company said. “All efforts will be made to support employees through this process in alignment with commitments and agreements.”
The Beer Store has previously refused to rule out closing all its stores and did not respond to questions about how many stores had been closed to date from Global News.
John Nock, president of the local union branch representing Beer Store workers, said he was confident the Beer Store would close as many stores as it was contractually allowed to.
“I have no doubt they will, so yes, that would mean 52 more closures,” he wrote in an email. “And in 2026 they can close how many they like. That scares me.”
The Beer Store locations which will close on Aug. 24 are:
- Atikokan, 711 Mackenzie St. E., Atikokan, ON, P0T 1C0
- Blind River, 115 Causley St., Blind River, ON, P0R 1B0
- Bothwell, 160 Oak St., Bothwell, ON, N0P 1C0
- Garson, 3098 Falconbridge Hwy., Garson, ON, P3L 1P5
- Manotick, 1160 Beaverwood Rd., Manotick, ON, K4M 1A2
- Powassan, 760 Main St., Powassan, ON, P0H 1Z0
- Richmond Hill, 8825 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, ON, L4C 6Z1
- Scarborough, 1089 Kingston Rd., Scarborough, ON, M1N 4E4
- Toronto, 772 The Queensway, Toronto, ON, M8Z 1N3
- Toronto, 720 Spadina Ave., Toronto, ON, M5S 2T9
© 2025 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
Spirits maker Diageo will cease operations at its bottling facility in Amherstburg, Ont., early next year, as it shifts some bottling volume to the U.S., the company announced on Thursday.
The facility, which bottles Crown Royal products, will close in February in a move aimed at improving its North American supply chain.
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About 200 jobs will be affected.
“This was a difficult decision, but one that is crucial to improving the efficiency and resiliency of our supply chain network,” Marsha McIntosh, Diageo’s president of North America supply, said in a statement.
Diageo said it will engage with the community and find ways to support its employees through the transition, and work alongside Unifor to assist unionized workers.
The company said it will still maintain a “significant” footprint in Canada — including its headquarters and warehouse operations in the Greater Toronto Area, and bottling and distillation facilities in Manitoba and Quebec.
McIntosh added the company’s Crown Royal products will continue to be mashed, distilled and aged at its Canadian facilities.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
Toronto police say a 33-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly striking two men with his car Wednesday evening.
Officers say they responded to reports of a collision in the area of Don Mills Road and Gateway Boulevard in the city’s North York neighbourhood just before 10:30 p.m.
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Police say two men got into an argument, leading to one man getting into his car and hitting the other man with it.
They say the man then put his car into reverse, striking a second man.
A man in his 50s was transported to hospital with serious injuries and the second man, in his 20s, had minor injuries.
Police say the suspect from Markham, Ont., faces several other charges as well, including two counts of assault with a weapon, uttering threats and dangerous driving.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
A court document shows a Lindsay, Ont., man facing charges for allegedly breaking into an apartment was carrying a crossbow when he was confronted by a tenant.
The resident, Jeremy David McDonald, is also facing assault charges in the incident on Aug. 18 — a fact that has generated widespread interest in the case.
Police information filed in court alleges that Michael Kyle Breen damaged a window and screen at McDonald’s home and carried a crossbow.
The court document says the 41-year-old Breen is charged with break and enter, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, mischief under $5,000 and failing to comply with a probation order.
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Police have said that Breen, who is scheduled to appear in court for a bail hearing next week, was already wanted for unrelated offences.
McDonald, the 44-year-old resident, was charged with aggravated assault and assault with a weapon after he allegedly “did endanger the life” of Breen.
Premier Doug Ford blasted the decision to charge the apartment resident, saying last week that it shows “something is broken.”
Kawartha Lakes Police Chief Kirk Robertson wrote in a statement Wednesday that he recognizes the incident has generated significant public interest and “emotional” responses, but called some of the reaction “unjust and inaccurate.”
Robertson wrote that individuals have the right to defend themselves and their property, but the law requires that any defensive action be proportionate to the threat faced.
“This means that while homeowners do have the right to protect themselves and their property, the use of force must be reasonable given the circumstances,” he wrote.
© 2025 The Canadian Press
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