Cambridge drinkers won't have far to go to find beer and wine in September.
So far the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has given licenses to sell liquor to 22 convenience stores across the city.
One of the Cambridge stores gearing up to sell alcohol is Mr. Convenience Too on Beverly Street.
"We are just waiting for the representative from the province to come down and go over everything with us and then we'll be good to go," said Mr. Convenience Too owner Seyed Jalali.
The store will be adding two more refrigerators to accommodate the additional beverages and Jalali does not currently have any plans to renovate.
"I know some places are changing their whole store, but we have to see how it goes first," he said.
The Galt convenience store does not plan on getting a Smart Serve, noting they are "not serving any beer, but selling it."
"It will be like cigarettes, so I'm not too worried about it. We will only sell to people of age and I am told we won't be selling individual cans."
The rush to apply for licenses came on the heels of Premier Doug Ford's May announcement that private liquor sales would be expanded to include convenience stores.
After Sept. 5, eligible locations will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages and after Oct. 31, all eligible grocery and big-box stores will be able to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink beverages, including in large pack sizes.
Some changes are coming much earlier.
As of Aug. 1, grocery stores currently licensed to sell beer, cider, or wine will also be able to sell ready-to-drink beverages and offer larger pack sizes.
The LCBO will remain the exclusive retailer of spirits.
Part of the reason LCBO workers voted to strike last month is the impact private sales will have on job security.
The union representing LCBO workers says allowing ready-to-drink beverages into grocery stores will reduce the $2.5 billion in public revenue it generates to fund health care, education and other public services.
