Ontarians will soon be able to grab a bottle of wine or a case of beer when they pick up milk, butter and vegetables at some grocery stores.
Ontario’s government is putting LCBO “express” kiosks in 10 grocery stores across the province as part of a pilot project, with the first ones scheduled to open in at least 12 months.
The kiosks will sell beer, wine and spirits that are already available at free-standing liquor stores, CTV News' Paul Bliss reports.
The first 10 kiosks will open in major grocery stores in areas that are currently under-served by the LCBO. The locations have not been confirmed.
The plan also calls for VQA boutiques inside five full-size LCBO stores.
Finance Minister Dwight Duncan told CTV News that the move is designed to make liquor purchases more convenient, and he expects the pilot program to eventually expand beyond the first 10 kiosks.
The kiosks will be staffed by LCBO employees and operate under the same hours as other liquor stores.
The plan is being well-received by LCBO customers.
“I think this is a great idea,” said Alexis, a Toronto mother who spoke to CP24 reporter Katie Simpson outside a Toronto grocery store. “This will make things even faster.”
Kiosks inside grocery stores would be helpful during the busy holiday season because there would be one less stop while running errands, especially for parents, Alexis said.
Ontario’s government is making the move as it counters a Progressive Conservative proposal to place beer and wine in corner stores.
In an interview with CTV News, Duncan slammed what he calls PC leader Tim Hudak's plan to open "Detroit-style party stores on every street corner."
According to the provincial government, Ontario currently has the lowest number of alcohol retail stores per capita of any province.
With files from CTV Toronto
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