A Wave of Closures Hits Ontario’s Beer Store Locations
The Beer Store has confirmed it will be permanently shutting down 11 more of its retail outlets across Ontario, including two high-traffic stores in Toronto. The closures are part of a broader strategic shift aimed at adapting to changing market demands and the province’s evolving alcohol retail landscape.
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Two Major Toronto Locations to Close
By July 6, 2025, the following Toronto locations will cease operations:
- 609 Roehampton Ave.
- 1580 Avenue Rd.
These store closures come just months after previous announcements of other GTA locations shutting down.
Greater Toronto Area Locations Also Affected
Beyond the city core, three more stores in the GTA are set to close, including two in Oakville and one in Richmond Hill:
- 104 Lakeshore Rd. W., Oakville
- 1011 Upper Middle Rd., Oakville
- 13469 Yonge St., Richmond Hill
More Closures Across Ontario Communities
Additional closures announced by The Beer Store will affect smaller towns and cities across Ontario:
- 14800 Yonge St., Aurora
- 6716 Hwy #35, PO Box 269, Coboconk
- 690 Berford St., PO Box 202, Wiarton
- 790 Goyeau St., Windsor
- 1780 College Ave., Windsor
These closures reflect a significant reduction in the retailer’s physical footprint across the province.
Part of a Larger Trend of Downsizing
This announcement is the latest in a series of store closures from The Beer Store:
- In March 2025, five stores were closed across southern and northern Ontario.
- In April 2025, another four locations—including two in Toronto—were announced for closure by mid-June.
By July 6, around 20 stores will have permanently closed in just a few months.
The Reason Behind the Shutdowns
According to Ozzie Ahmed, Vice President of Retail at The Beer Store, the decision is part of a broader effort to “modernize operations” and ensure long-term business sustainability.
“We know this will be disappointing to many customers and our valued employees,” Ahmed said in a public statement. “But these decisions are necessary to serve the evolving needs of our marketplace.”
The closures come amid Ontario’s ongoing expansion of alcohol sales to grocery and convenience stores, a policy change that is reshaping how and where alcohol can be purchased across the province.
Impact on Employees and Customers
It remains unclear how many employees will be affected or if any staff will be relocated to other branches. However, Ahmed has emphasized that decisions are made with long-term sustainability in mind.
The company has stated it is still evaluating store performance and customer needs, suggesting more changes could come.
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What About Bottle Returns?
Customers concerned about recycling empty beer and alcohol containers can still return them to other nearby Beer Store locations or approved empty return depots.
Notably, starting January 1, 2026, all grocery stores selling alcohol will also be required to accept empty containers for recycling.
Looking Ahead
The Beer Store has not responded to media requests for additional comments, including from CTV News Toronto. However, their public statements suggest the closures are far from over as the company continues to navigate a competitive and shifting alcohol retail environment.