Is alcohol coming to Costco in Ontario?

Last month, Ontario saw a huge expansion of alcohol sales as thousands of convenience stores were allowed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages.

The move was part of the province’s wider alcohol sale expansion, which is not finished yet.

The province said it expects that over time, the changes will result in an estimated 8,500 additional stores throughout Ontario where people can purchase alcohol, resulting in the “largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition almost 100 years ago.”

By the end of this month, more grocery stores — beyond the up to 450 across Ontario that are already able to sell alcohol — as well as big box stores, will be allowed to offer booze in their shops.

That includes Costco.

Based on data from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), 41 Costco locations throughout Ontario have been licenced to sell alcohol.

That means every single one of the 40 Costco warehouses currently open in Ontario, plus one that hasn’t opened yet, have been given a licence.

Starting Oct. 31, the stores will be allowed to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages including in large packs.

LCBOs, meanwhile, will continue to be the only places where people can purchase spirits, other than at distillery retail stores and LCBO convenience outlets.

The Beer Store continues to operate as well.