Select grocery stores in Thunder Bay begin selling beer

THUNDER BAY -- Shawn Capnerhurst never thought he'd see the day that beer was sold in his store.

The assistant manager at Real Canadian Superstore in Thunder Bay said he's been with the company for nine years and as the store became one of 19 Loblaws and 58 stores across the province to start selling beer Tuesday, he said it was a nice surprise.

"I think it will do very well here," he said in front of one of two displays selling beer,

"It's been pretty exiting in the last couple of weeks just getting prepared for this."

Customers can buy beer from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10-6.
"They cant just go to check out anywhere or any anytime," he said.

The hours are an hour earlier and later than the LCBO.

"I guess there is some concern but we've trained our people properly on how to handle it," he said. "I think if anything it will be more convenient for customers." 

The store has around 40 staff already trained and working at designated beer check-out lanes. Capnerhurst said eventually all staff that can be will be trained. And while the store wanted to be first to market, only offering a pair of racks with both big name and craft beer, soon the store will have an expanded selection and fridges.

"We should see that probably in the beginning of the new year," he said.

Until then, when not on sale, the beer will be placed behind locked cabinets.
James Forsythe said it's a great idea to have beer in grocery stores because you can grab food and beer all in one place.

"They have it in other provinces so I figured it would be here sooner or later," he said.

But Pat Hobert said taking beer out of liquor stores makes it too accessible.

"I think it should be left to the LCBO to handle that kind of thing," he said.

"I think it just invited crime."