Liquor Mart closing 10 more locations

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This article was published 08/08/2023 (780 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries announced on Monday plans to temporarily close an additional 10 Liquor Mart locations, adding a new layer of complexity to an already challenging situation.

The closures take effect at 7 a.m. today. This latest move follows a string of earlier store closures.

MBLL spokesperson Andrea Kowal made the disclosure in a statement shared with the Sun on Monday.

The latest stores to close include locations in Dauphin, Selkirk, Steinbach, Stonewall and Gimli, as well as five stores in Winnipeg.

On Sunday, MBLL announced the closure, effective Monday morning, of Liquor Mart locations in Carman, Morden, Portage la Prairie and Swan River, along with three stores in Winnipeg.

Kowal stated that the step is a necessary strategy to streamline the distribution of the remaining stock to the stores that will continue to operate.

In Brandon, the south end Liquor Mart store and the Express location inside the west end Sobeys remain closed.

While MBLL is assuring everyone that these closures are a temporary response to the prevailing supply challenges, the question of how long the doors will remain closed looms large.

As the designated Liquor Mart locations brace for temporary shutdowns, vendors and residents in these locales are mulling over alternate arrangements.

Some are considering seeking solace in neighbouring towns, while others are contemplating the convenience of online procurement and home delivery services.

One of the vendors in Brandon, Black Wheat Brewing president Ted Birch, expressed his concerns about the impact of the store closure on his operations.

Liquor Mart, a major customer for Black Wheat Brewing, has temporarily ceased orders to all its suppliers due to the ongoing labour dispute. In an interview, Birch explained the significant setback this has caused.

“It’s impacting our sales for sure. You know, the liquor vendors, like the beer vendors, have picked up their sales to compensate, but still, it is a major kick in the teeth,” Birch said.

The challenge for vendors like Black Wheat Brewing lies in adjusting to the abrupt interruption in their supply chain. Although other beer vendors have increased their purchases, these efforts haven’t been sufficient to offset the loss caused by Liquor Mart.

“(It) puts us in the red, that doesn’t even out. You know, we sell a lot to the Liquor Marts in the city as well, so we don’t get that piece either. We do have liquor vendor customers in Winnipeg, but we had much broader coverage through the Liquor Marts here in Brandon, and they have definitely had a negative impact on our business,” Birch said.

The repercussions of the Liquor Mart closures extend beyond just vendors. Consumers are also feeling the inconvenience, as they are forced to seek alternative sources for their alcohol purchases.

“It’s very challenging trying to get some liquor,” Brandon shopper Akin Adebowale said. “I know there’s been a lot of operators playing the game of driving into the rural areas to try to find alcohol, but those shelves are seeming to be pretty empty these days, too.”

Corey James Trumbley, the manager of I Want That Stuff in Brandon, shared his perspective on how he’s navigating the situation, particularly in light of his recent comment he shared with the Sun on Facebook.

“Between low stock and knowing that a hit to the bottom line is sometimes the only way that companies take notice, I elected to buy all my long weekend beverages in Minot,” Trumbley said.

The Liquor Marts in Brandon are among several others in the province that have closed temporarily due to an ongoing labour dispute between MBLL and the Manitoba Government and General Employees’ Union (MGEU). The dispute has led to a selective strike that began on July 19, with workers demanding better working conditions and compensation.

MGEU president Kyle Ross expressed disappointment over the Crown corporation’s decision to close several stores, which came after employees had agreed to report to work during the ongoing strike. Liquor Mart employees have been without a contract since March 2022.

» aodutola@brandonsun.com

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