THUNDER BAY — As the LCBO strike continues, a liquor convenience outlet in Northwestern Ontario is busier than usual as shoppers start to stock up on alcohol products.
The owner of Wildwoode Variety Store in Kaministiquia, Jena Curtis, said this weekend was twice as busy as it normally is in the summer.
"We did double our regular revenues with people coming in throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday."
Curtis said her customers are concerned that her store won't receive deliveries as the strike continues.
"We are still getting our deliveries. We're getting deliveries on Wednesdays every week.
"Now, we might not get as much selection. However, the LCBO is guaranteeing that we will be getting our basic selections."
Curtis said she's also increased her beer order for the following week in anticipation that the strike will continue for an extended period.
She expects to have less inventory as the sale of alcohol expands into grocery and corner stores.
However, Curtis is confident that the sale of hard liquor will continue to keep customers returning, as will the sale of other services and amenities.
"They're going to stop here to get their gas, to get their minnows, to get their liquor and possibly their wine and their milk . . . but they're going to think twice about stopping at Circle K for gas and beer when they know they need to still stop for their vodka or whatever else."
Curtis also noted that many people come from the city to shop at her store rather than the usual customer base of local residents and those heading to their camps for the weekend.
Mo Marsonet, vice-president of OPSEU local 741, said customers need to support the LCBO, and not private retailers.
"Eventually, some of those outlets are going to run out. We're going to try and prevent them restocking if we can.
"People of Ontario have to remember that when you're not shopping at the LCBO, the profits from those sales go back into private hands, they go into shareholders, they go back to billionaires."
She was asked what her direct message to the public is on the topic of shopping at private licensed outlets like Wildwoode Variety Store.
"You've got to support us - don't go shopping at convenience outlets. And the thing is we don't want to target small business either, that's not what this is about. But at the same time, if others are going to exploit our misfortune, we're not going to let that stand either."
Marsonet said there's no good alternative for shoppers to buy their alcohol that she supports, noting the social responsibility that LCBO workers also carry.
"Our staff is well trained to prevent alcohol getting into the wrong hands, and we want to hold on to that as well.
"So I'm not so sure that that's happening in other places. It may be, I'm sure they're getting the training, but we know that our people are professional and good at what they do."
Marsonet noted her concerns lie with big-box retailers and chain corner stores selling LCBO products.
Katie Nicholls is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter with Newswatch
