Ontario residents were warned of an impending strike of th Liquor Control Board of Ontario workers, but were they prepared when it officially started 12:01 Friday morning?
For those who were not, there are choices.
The Canadian Press reported LCBO stores would be closed for 14 days beginning Friday, July 5,, with online ordering still available. After that two-week period, the liquor retailer said some stores across the province would re-open three days a week for limited hours.
Until then there is a smattering of LCBO convenience store outlets still open across Niagara.
There are three Avondale stores that include liquor outlets. One is in Vineland, at 3916 Victoria Ave. In Wainfleet, the Avondale Food Store at 41986 Forkes Rd. sells alcohol, as does the Fenwick Avondale at 786 Canboro Rd.
There is one LCBO convenience outlet in Niagara Falls, at Foodland Chippawa, 8251 Dock St,
Also, Jenny-Jessie Gas at 11609 Hwy. 3 in Wainfleet lists an LCBO convenience store; as does Netherby Variety, 7600 Netherby Rd. in Welland; and Sherkston Supermart, 490 Empire Rd., in Port Colborne.
The LCBO convenience outlets across Ontario are listed on its website.
The LCBO website says it delivers to your door in two to three business days, for $11.95 plus tax per order with a minimum $50 order. — delivery is free over $50. However it is warning delivery might take longer with higher-than-normal order volumes. Just visit the website and choose the products you're looking for.
There are grocery stores across Ontario now selling beer and wine, and in Niagara, a great selection of wineries selling their own wines, most of which deliver at no charge with a minimum order.
There are also wineries and distilleries in Niagara selling a selection of other alcoholic beverages. For instance, Wayne Gretzky Estate and Distillery,1219 Niagara Stone Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, sells Canadian and rye whisky, brandy, and craft creams.
Limited Distillery, 14 Henegan Rd, Niagara-on-the-Lake, sells gin, vodka, and rye, corn or jalapeno "moonshine."
Forty Creek, 297 S Service Rd, Grimsby, has a good reputation for its variety of whiskies, rum and brandy, vodka and cocktails.
Dillon's Small Batch Distillers 4833 Tufford Rd, Beamsville, makes gin, rye, vodka, bitters, and cocktails — it even offers a cocktail variety pack in you’re having a party.
Tawse Winery 955 Cherry Ave, Vineland, best known for its award-winning wines, also sells gin, vermouth, Canadian whisky and bitters.
And of course Niagara College, at its NOTL campus, 135 Taylor Rd., has a good selection of wine, beer and other spirits, including a variety of rum, brandy, vodka, gin and vermouth for sale.
