Ottawa to get ‘kiosk’ LCBO store, but only in Vanier or New Edinburgh
By David Reevely, Ottawa Citizen April 2, 2014 1:05 PM
OTTAWA — The Ontario government wants Ottawa to have one of the province’s experimental liquor stores inside a grocery store, but only if it’s in the Vanier or New Edinburgh areas.
The restriction is spelled out in a detailed request for proposals the Liquor Control Board of Ontario posted, explaining exactly what it wants in the locations it opens for a seven-store pilot project that’s to begin by the end of the year.
Although it’s billed as a move to make it easier for Ontarians to buy alcohol, the restrictions are so tough there won’t be very much difference between these stores and ordinary LCBO locations.
The new LCBOs are to be inside existing large grocery stores but they will have walls and lockable doors. They will keep their own opening hours. They will be staffed by LCBO employees, not the supermarket’s.
And in Ottawa, the agency is only interested in potential locations in a couple of neighbourhoods east of downtown that it considers underserved: an area bounded by the Queensway to the south, Rockcliffe Parkway to the north, Vanier Parkway to the west and Aviation Parkway to the east. Spots within 500 metres of existing liquor stores on Montreal Road and in St Laurent mall are out.
Practically speaking, about half a dozen stores might be eligible, on the commercial strips of Beechwood Avenue, Montreal Road, McArthur Avenue and St Laurent Boulevard. They include two Metros, a Freshco, a Farm Boy and a Your Independent. Vanier’s big Loblaw store is on the wrong side of the Vanier Parkway and out of contention.
The LCBO document says the agency wants a 10-year lease on space inside a supermarket, for either a 2,000-square-foot or a 3,000-square-foot template. It will also need access to a loading dock, secure storage space off the retail floor, and employee bathrooms within 45 metres of its space.
Other than the 10-year term, there is no indication of how long the pilot project is supposed to last, or of how it will be judged a success or a failure.
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