Queen’s students, your next alcoholic beverage is just around the corner.
As of Sept. 5, 4,187 convenience stores along with 3,000 retail outlets, takeaway locations, and restaurants, are permitted to sell alcohol in Ontario. The plan, pushed by Ontario Premier Doug Ford, aims to increase choice and convenience for shoppers and local breweries and wineries. The Ford government’s goal is to allow all eligible convenience stores and grocery stores to sell alcoholic beverages by October.
Forty-six locations in Kingston were given permission to sell alcohol, most of which are convenience stores, but grocery stores such as Walmart, Loblaws, Costco, Freshco, and Farm Boy were also given permits.
Campus One Stop, a convenience store in the University District, is one of the shops now selling alcohol. Just a couple steps from Stauffer Library, Campus One Stop offers Corona, White Claws, and other popular light alcoholic beverages to students.
Corey Hines, Sci ’26, is pleased with the change.
“I live right next to a convenience store and now that they carry alcohol, it will definitely save me some trips downtown,” Hines said in an interview with The Journal.
On the other hand, students like Julie Cooper, ArtSci ’26, don’t see the change as significant.
“It doesn’t really matter to me. Convenience stores always just increase the price, so I’ll probably just stick to the LCBO,” Cooper said in an interview with The Journal.
Meanwhile, addiction treatment centers are speaking out about how easy access to alcohol could tempt those struggling with alcoholism.
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