More than 4,000 convenience stores across Ontario — including 60 in the Barrie area — are licensed to sell alcohol beginning today.
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) says it has approved 4,146 such licences.
The Ford government announced in May that, as of Sept. 5, eligible convenience stores with a licence will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages.
Additionally, after Oct. 31, all eligible and licensed grocery and big-box stores (issued on or after June 17, 2024) will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
While many customers are happy with the change, the cost of allowing grocery, big box and corner stores to start selling alcohol this fall could be far higher than the government has let on, according to calculation from the Ontario Liberal Party, which is estimating the hit to the provincial treasury would be $150 million over two years.
The AGCO says it recently served a notice of suspension to a convenience store in Toronto that was allegedly selling booze before the Sept. 5 date when the regulations change.
An interactive map on the provincial government’s website allows users to find nearby retailers, including local wineries, breweries and distilleries, that sell alcohol across Ontario. For more information, click here.
The following list shows convenience stores in the Barrie area that have already received approval by the AGCO:
Circle K
181 Livingston St. E.
201 Hurst Dr.
477 Grove St. E.
221 Ferndale Dr. S.
555 Mapleview Dr. W.
350 Big Bay Point Rd.
353 Duckworth St.
149 St. Vincent St.
353 Anne St. N.
420 Leacock Dr.
2 Marsellus Dr.
110 Little Ave.
151 Bayfield St.
Circle K Convenience and Gas
610 Huronia Rd.
Circle K/Esso
2 Bryne Dr.
62 Essa Rd.
7 Anne St. N.
369 Bayfield St.
Husky
118 Little Ave.
Petro-Canada
175 Cundles Rd. E.
623 Yonge St.
151 Mapleview Dr. W.
320 Blake St.
341 Bayfield St.
Hasty Market
480 Mapleton Ave.
170 Prince William Way
Shell
204 Grove St. E.
601 Yonge St.
86 Barrie View Dr.
557 Cundles Rd. E.
Canadian Tire Gas Bar
77 Mapleview Dr. W.
Craighurst Corner Gas
3406 Penetanguishene Rd.
Variety & More
336 Yonge St.
Anne Street Variety
29-2 Anne St. S.
Choice Variety Convenience Store
11 Victoria St.
Jean’s Variety
144 Burton Ave.
Bayfield Convenience
102 Bayfield St.
Busy B Convenience
130 Bell Farm Rd.
Little 11 Convenience
409 Yonge St.
Cedar Pointe Convenience Store
4 Cedar Pointe Dr.
Zel
11 Cundles Rd. W.
Ultramar Express Mart
375 Mapleview Dr. W.
JD Mart
221 Cundles Rd. E.
Market
201 Fairview Rd.
Enterprise Variety & Gift
110 Little Ave.
Canadian Tire Gas+
320 Bayfield St.
Pareshkumar
7 Anne St. S.
Pioneer On The Run
453 Dunlop St. W.
565 Yonge St.
Ultramar Gas & Convenience
170 Burton Ave.
Ultramar Gas Station
71 Anne St. S.
Ultra On The Run
90 Mapleview Dr. E.
Hasty Market
280 Dunlop St. W
307 Cundles Rd. E.
Circle K Esso
99 Mapleview Dr. E.
Anne’s Variety
68 Dunlop St. W.
RP Grocers Supermarket
128 Penetang St.
McEwen Barrie
652 Dunlop St. W.
Jay’s Variety
353 Duckworth St.
Indian Food Bazaar
510 Bryne Dr.
— with files from The Canadian Press
