10 More Beer Store Closures Announced Across Ontario — See the Full List
The Beer Store has confirmed it will close 10 more retail locations across Ontario in the coming months. The announcement includes five stores in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and follows an ongoing shift in Ontario’s retail beer market.
Five GTA Locations Set to Close by Mid-September
According to a company release, the closures will take effect on September 14, 2025. The five affected locations in the GTA are:
- 636 Greenwood Ave., Toronto
- 4479 Kingston Rd., Scarborough
- 2020 Appleby Line, Burlington
- 229 Dundurn St. S., Hamilton
- 4681 Hwy 7, Unionville
Additional Closures Across the Province
Stores outside the GTA that will also close on the same day include:
- 33225 Hwy 17, Deep River
- 12334 Hwy 41, Northbrook
- 1910 St. Laurent Blvd., Ottawa
- Erie St. S., Hwy 21, Ridgetown
- 41 Front St., Sioux Lookout
These locations join the nearly 60 Beer Stores already closed or scheduled for closure across Ontario since the start of 2025.
Changing Retail Landscape and Government Deal
The closures are part of a broader trend tied to alcohol retail modernization in Ontario. The Doug Ford government’s decision to expand alcohol sales to convenience stores led to a new agreement with The Beer Store.
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Under the Early Implementation Agreement, the company must keep:
- At least 386 stores open through July 2025
- At least 300 stores open until December 31, 2025
The shift aims to increase accessibility and convenience for consumers, but it also creates pressure on the company’s traditional retail footprint.
Support for Affected Employees
Ozzie Ahmed, The Beer Store’s vice-president of retail, emphasized that closing these stores was a difficult decision. “We recognize the contributions our employees make to the business and in the communities where we operate,” he said, adding that support will be provided to affected staff in line with company agreements.
What This Means for Consumers
Despite the closures, The Beer Store continues to process about 1.6 billion alcohol containers annually. Consumers can return beer, wine, and spirit containers to any open Beer Store location or authorized return dealer.
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Beginning January 1, 2026, all grocery stores that sell alcohol will also be required to accept empties and issue deposit refunds, helping ensure the deposit-return system remains intact.
The company encourages customers to visit thebeerstore.ca/locations to find the nearest operating store.
Do you think expanded alcohol sales at convenience stores justify these closures in Ontario? Why or why not?
More…
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/toronto/article/not-an-easy-decision-the-beer-store-is-closing-10-more-stores-in-ontario-including-5-in-the-gta
- https://www.insauga.com/closure-9-more-beer-store-locations-shutting-down-this-weekend-in-ontario
- https://www.chathamdailynews.ca/news/local-news/ridgetown-beer-store-slated-for-closure
- https://www.overheretoronto.com/the-beer-store-to-close-11-more-ontario-locations-by-july
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