The Beer Store has confirmed it will close 11 locations across Ontario by July 6, 2025, as part of its ongoing restructuring efforts in response to sweeping changes in the province’s alcohol retail market.
The closures include sites in Windsor, Toronto, Oakville, and several other municipalities, reflecting the retailer’s strategic shift as it adapts to increased competition from convenience stores, grocery chains, and big box retailers.
The move follows the Ontario government’s decision last year to broaden alcohol sales access, a long-promised reform by Premier Doug Ford’s administration. Under the new framework, more retail outlets are now permitted to sell a variety of alcoholic beverages, ending The Beer Store’s long-standing exclusive sales agreement with the province.
As part of the negotiated transition, the government allocated $225 million to The Beer Store to support the chain’s operational adjustments and to mitigate the scale of store closures. The agreement mandates that at least 300 of The Beer Store’s locations remain operational until the end of 2025. The company has so far complied with this requirement, even as it gradually reduces its retail footprint.
In a statement, Ozzie Ahmed, vice-president of retail at The Beer Store, acknowledged the impact of the decision. “The Beer Store is modernizing operations to meet the needs of the marketplace — this means making the difficult decision to close some stores. We know this will be disappointing to many customers and our valued employees,” Ahmed said. “We don’t make this decision lightly; it is part of our ongoing commitment to business sustainability and serving the needs of our customers.”
The locations scheduled for closure are:
- Aurora – 14800 Yonge St.
- Coboconk – 6716 Hwy #35
- Cornwall – 1396 2nd St. E.
- Oakville – 104 Lakeshore Rd. W.
- Oakville – 1011 Upper Middle Rd.
- Richmond Hill – 13469 Yonge St.
- Toronto – 609 Roehampton Ave.
- Toronto – 1580 Avenue Rd.
- Wiarton – 690 Berford St.
- Windsor – 790 Goyeau St.
- Windsor – 1780 College Ave.
These latest closures are part of a broader trend as The Beer Store adjusts to a rapidly evolving retail landscape and shifting consumer buying habits. The chain has previously shuttered multiple locations in anticipation of declining market share, fueled by increased competition and greater convenience for shoppers across the province.
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