Costco among more stores able to sell alcohol in Ontario starting this week

Ontarians will be able to purchase alcohol at more stores starting later this week.

As part of the province’s wider alcohol expansion, hundreds of additional grocery stores, as well as big-box stores, will be able to sell booze starting on Thursday.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) told INsauga.com that as of Sunday, 405 grocery store licenses have been approved, which includes big-box stores.

That figure is in addition to the 450 grocery stores that have already been able to sell alcohol.

The move comes after thousands of convenience stores were allowed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages as of Sept. 5.

The products that are allowed to be sold at grocery and big-box stores are the same as at convenience stores.

The further expanded marketplace will include Costco warehouses and based on data from the AGCO, every Costco location in Ontario has been approved for a license.

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.

Some grocery stores, however, have said that the province’s empties return requirements may make it impossible for them to participate in the program, with some even saying that they plan on handing back their licenses.