Another Round of Beer Store Closures in Ontario
Beer Store closures in Ontario are once again making headlines as 12 more locations are set to shut down by mid-October. The alcohol retailer confirmed that three of these closures will affect Toronto and North York, adding pressure to communities already impacted by earlier shutdowns.
Where Toronto and GTA Stores Will Close
Two Toronto Beer Store locations—900A Don Mills Rd. and 800 Gerrard St. E.—will close their doors for good on October 19. In North York, the store at 3078 Don Mills Rd. will also shutter, signaling a major cutback in the Greater Toronto Area.
Other Ontario Communities Affected
Beyond the GTA, nine more Beer Store locations across Ontario will close by October. Communities impacted include:
Bridgenorth – 882 Ward St.
Eganville – 8647 Hwy. #60
Forest – 89 Main St. S.
Grand Bend – 21 Ontario St. N.
Harrow – 398 King St. W.
Little Current – 53 Meredith St. E.
Markdale – 33 Argyle St.
Noëlville – 142 David St. N.
Sauble Beach – 704 Main St.
These towns and cities will soon lose long-standing retail outlets, reshaping how residents access alcohol.
Why The Beer Store is Closing More Shops
According to Vice President of Retail Ozzie Ahmed, the decision comes as part of a modernization plan to adapt to Ontario’s changing marketplace. While closures are never easy, he emphasized that customer service and the deposit return system remain priorities.
The Bigger Picture Behind These Closures
This latest wave is part of a series of Beer Store closures announced since March. The trend aligns with Premier Doug Ford’s plan to expand alcohol sales in convenience and corner stores, a move that has forced The Beer Store to scale back.
As part of the agreement, The Beer Store must keep at least 386 outlets open until July 2025 and 300 until the end of December 2025. Starting January 1, 2026, Ontarians will also be able to return empties at grocery stores selling alcohol, making access more flexible.
What This Means for Ontario Shoppers
For customers, the closures represent a shift in how alcohol will be purchased in Ontario moving forward. While it means fewer Beer Store locations, expanded retail access could bring more convenience—though not without changes for employees and communities losing long-time outlets.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for more updates on Beer Store closures and Ontario retail changes.
