It’s been a long time coming but Thorold residents no longer have to leave the city to buy alcohol.
As ThoroldToday reported, there used to be a LCBO in the plaza on Pine St. S, which closed down in 2009. Ever since then, Thorold residents have had to leave the city to buy their booze. That's why, in recent years, Councillor Nella Dekker has been on a quest to lure the LCBO back to town.
Luckily, the province recently eased the rules on alcohol sales, opening the field for local convenience and grocery stores to sell beer and wine.
Due to the change, Foodland on Pine Street is now able to sell alcohol.
Councillor Dekker shared her excitement over the news during Tuesday’s city council meeting.
“This is just a congratulations to [Store Manager] Todd Marr from Foodland for finally getting his license to sell wine and beer in the store,” she said. “I know it’s been a rough five years for him. I know myself and [MPP] Jeff Burch, along with the LCBO, have been trying so desperately to get him a license. It’s finally come to fruition for him. I think it’s great that he is finally able to compete with other retail outlets. It’s good for Thorold too.”
Marr tells ThoroldToday that the sale of alcohol at his store has been a long time coming.
"The residents have had to go down to St. Catharines to get their wine and the [ready-to-drink cocktails]," he tells ThoroldToday. "Especially for the elderly, and with the traffic flow down there — it helps us become more of a one-stop shop for our costumers."
The ability to sell alcohol marks the end of a long fight.
"We've been trying to get the LCBO or wine for years — since they left to be honest with you," Marr says. "Now that the government has finally okayed it, everybody has it."
Foodland is not the only place in Thorold that’s now licensed to sell alcohol.
A provincial map identifies several convenience stores such as 7-Eleven and Avondale with licenses to sell alcohol as well.
One thing’s for certain: Thorold residents in search of alcoholic beverages no longer have to leave the city to buy them.
