98-year-old beer store chain has closed nearly 100 locations so far

After nearly a century in operation and serving as a trusted distributor of alcoholic beverages to thousands of people, a major beer store chain is closing dozens of locations, becoming yet another casualty of shifting consumer habits and an increasingly competitive retail market.

As the market continues to evolve rapidly, even historic brands are struggling to adapt. The nearly 100-year-old retailer now faces an uncertain future, signaling the possible end of a long-standing legacy.

Founded in 1927, The Beer Store is a Canadian chain that has grown to become Ontario's largest beer retailer, with over 300 locations across the province. Owned by industry giants such as Molson Coors (TAP), Sleeman Breweries, and Labatt Brewing Company, it has long been a fixture of Ontario's alcohol retail system.

The Beer Store is closing seven more locations

The Beer Store revealed via an announcement on its website that it will be closing seven stores across Ontario on November 16, citing a changing marketplace and the expansion of alcohol sales into grocery and convenience stores as key drivers of increased competition.

"Selling beer and collecting empties in Ontario is changing as part of marketplace expansion," said The Beer Store VP Retail Ozzie Ahmed in the announcement. "To meet the needs of an evolving retail market, The Beer Store is making the difficult decision to close retail locations and is committed to meeting the requirements of the Early Implementation Agreement. We know this is difficult news for consumers, recyclers and our employees."

The Beer Store locations closing November 16

• Alexandria: 118 Main St. N., Alexandria, ON, K0C 1A0
• Barrie: 299 Blake St., Barrie, ON, L4M 1K7 
• Brampton: 374 Main St. N., Brampton, ON, L6V 1P8
• Beaverton: 553 Mara Rd., Beaverton, ON, L0K 1A0
• Cornwall: 960 Brookdale Ave., Unit 7, Cornwall, ON, K6J 4P5
• Gananoque: 580 King St. E., Gananoque, ON, K7G 1H2
• South River: 310 Hwy. #124, PO Box 160, South River, ON, P0A 1X0

The Beer Store closures continue

In May 2024, The Beer Store signed an Early Implementation Agreement with the Government of Ontario, under which it would provide up to $225 million to help the company protect jobs, support recycling, and maintain cash and carry operations.

Under this agreement, The Beer Store must keep at least 300 stores open until the end of 2025. However, the company may close additional locations without restrictions beginning in 2026.

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While the latest closures may come as a surprise to some consumers, they mark the ninth round of several months of significant downsizing. In 2025 alone, the beer chain closed more than 80 locations, resulting in mass layoffs and bringing its store count down to around 320.

The Beer Store closures in 2025 (so far)

• June: 4 locations
• July: 9 locations + 11 locations
• August: 10 locations + 10 locations
• September: 10 locations + 11 locations
• October: 12 locations
• November: 6 locations + 7 locations

(Source: The Beer Store)

With 20 closures still permitted under its agreement, more locations could shut down before the end of the year.

Empty returns program changes

Starting January 1, 2026, all grocery stores selling alcohol will be required to accept the return of empty containers and provide deposit refunds as part of Ontario's modernization of alcohol retail.

Despite the closures, The Beer Store encourages customers to continue returning empty alcohol containers to its remaining locations or any designated empty-return depots to support its long-standing recycling program. Customers can use The Beer Store's store locator to find a location close by.

The future beer retail and policy changes

In 2015, the Liberal government led by Premier Kathleen Wynne signed the Master Framework Agreement (MFA) with The Beer Store, formalizing the rules governing alcohol retailing in Ontario.

However, in 2023, the government agreed not to renegotiate the MFA, which will allow for beer sales to expand into gas stations and corner stores once the agreement expires on December 31, 2025.

The United Food and Commercial Workers (UFWC) Local 12R24, which represents The Beer Store employees, has voiced concerns about the potential impacts of these changes. President John Nock warned that disrupting the current system could lead to price hikes and instability.

"The price of beer may go up," said Nock in a statement. "Changes to the current system could be extremely chaotic and could bring many unforeseen consequences. I'm not sure how necessary any of this is."

Along with rising prices and widespread store closures, thousands of jobs may be at risk. While The Beer Store has not disclosed what will happen to the impacted employees, up to 6,500 positions are expected to be affected.

"The implications of these closures go far beyond the retail floor," said President and Chief Lending Officer at Approved Funding Shmuel Shayowitz. "Thousands of workers are losing their jobs, many of them in communities where retail employment has historically been one of the biggest anchors. Vacant storefronts are becoming an increasingly common sight, and declining commercial property values are the norm."

Provincial Politics and Policy Expert John Michael McGrath says the government and retailers have multiple issues to negotiate over the future of alcohol in stores, aside from deposit returns, such as the rate of wholesale discount available to retailers and the ability to sell private-label products.

"The government could ignore the retailers' pleas and stick to its guns on its January 1st deadline," said McGrath in a statement. "Given the province's current fiscal state, an expansion of the LCBO discount seems least likely: the deficit for this year is projected to be $14.6 billion and has potential to grow."

"Retailers, for their part, could live up to their threats to stop selling alcohol entirely rather than be forced to accept empties," McGrath added.

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