Preparations are ramping up in convenience stores across Ontario as they prepare to open their doors for alcohol sales.
As of this coming Thursday, it will be legal for them to sell beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails.
Between the hours of 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., alcohol will be available for purchase at more than 4,000 stores across the province.
In Hamilton, 126 stores have already paved the face for the roll-out, acquiring the necessary licensing, clearing out precious real-estate within their shops and stocking up on supplies.
Wally Hanna, the owner of The Market on James Street South, says his store operates 24-hours a day and his employees area ready.
“I hope it’s going to be something that’s good for the store. Staff, they have to have the Smart Serve, and they have to know the rules. They have to follow all those rules.”
Rules that Premier Doug Ford says they should already be used to. “Last time I checked, convenience stores don’t have needles lying around the front of their stores.”
“They’ve dealt with everything from tobacco to lottery tickets, now beer and wine — they’re going to be very responsible,” he added.
