stampede the LCBO"
Yup, apparently there was panic in the streets of [Toronto] Ontario as the threat of 608 liquor stores being closed as a strike deadline at midnight loomed. People were stocking up on hundreds of dollars worth of all important and vital supplies as coolers, vodka (the most popular items it seems, with some stores sold out completely) and wine. The LCBO saw unprecedented sales and barely had time to restock shelves due to staff being too busy working the cash registers. Ringing in the best one day sales ever - over $60 million! (updated figures)In Ontario the sale of alcohol is mostly available in government controlled outlets - LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) stores sell wines and spirits and some beer, and The Beer Store (formerly known as Brewer's Retail before it was dumbed down for the beer drinking tourists) which is controlled by a conglomerate of breweries, is allowed to only sell beer. You cannot buy alcohol in corner stores or grocery stores as in many other civilized places, although some grocery stores have boutique wine outlets with limited offerings. Then again, there is always the option of going to the wineries or breweries themselves to get an even wider supply of local bottles not available in the LCBO.
In the end, the long line ups in the 3 day old "heatwave" was for nought. The strike deadline was extended. All stores will be open as usual, but with little product to sell and staff likely standing around staring out the windows, wondering where the now slightly less terrified public is storing their panic-bought goods.
Really? "terrified"??
headline from The Toronto Star - photo from The Globe & Mail
And just one more reason to live in Niagara with the hundred or so wineries that all have their very own wine stores.
ReplyDeleteNo need to panic here.
That's HILARIOUS! Glad to hear y'all are well stocked for the present moment. God forbid anyone should tolerate summer in TO without wine. *lol*
ReplyDeleteI know, Bandobras, I would rather support the vintners (especially the smaller ones where many wines aren't even allowed into the LCBO), than support the LCBO for local wines... We have the best wines, don't we?!
ReplyDeleteAND, Naomi, there is also a city outside workers strike, so no garbage collections or open pools or ferries to the Island, or daycare, or summer camps... I guess it was all just too much, therefore the desire to drink and drink.
being without one's tipple of choice can be a terrifying thing I suppose. God forbid we'd have to drink any less.
ReplyDeleteEspecially with the Gay Pride Parade this weekend, Jazz!
ReplyDeleteYou'd think it was a nation of alcoholics, though I'm sure these are all perfectly normal people who just like to drink, aren't they? Personally, I wouldn't give a damn, but I know people who would and I consider them problem drinkers, although they have not admitted so to themselves yet. They can't go one night without their wine or beer. It's not a matter of choice anymore.
ReplyDeleteWell, Irene, it might look that way, but this "terrified public" also includes restaurant owners and party organizers who MUST buy their supplies from the LCBO.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's incredible! It's like when the local weather forecasters go into overdrive announcing impending snowstorms (anything from 4 inches and above) and the all the little people rush out to buy up all the toilet paper, bread and milk, even though they only live 5 minutes from the grocery.
ReplyDeleteThe had the same ridiculous liquor laws in Pennsylvania when we lived there. (Still do, as far as I know) You could only buy beer at "beer outlets" and wine and liquor at the state-controlled stores. The wine was a lot cheaper there than here in Ohio, though.
Now that is Amusing!
ReplyDeleteOh, wow! I just noticed your new header! I love it!
ReplyDeleteWell, this is why you need to come here for all your alcoholic beverage needs. No such nanny state involvement here in NY.
ReplyDelete*looking at surplus in kitchen* mmmm, maybe I can make some money.
ReplyDeleteLove your new blog banner.
Susan, or when there is a Public Holiday and the grocery stores will be closed for one day. And that is one argument here for not getting rid of the LCBO - the cost and availability of a variety of liquors.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is, LGS. Though, I'm not sure which is funnier: the "stampede" or the use of the words "terrified" and "stampede" in the headline.
ReplyDeleteOr just go to any local winery, Mr Nighttime. Not all of them get to sell at the LCBO - you have to qualify.
Yay, bootleg Char!
I'd totally believe it if it happened in Australia. No one gets between us and our booze...
ReplyDeleteIsn't this like the 3rd time we've blogged about the same thing on the same day? (The last one was the Dionne's, I think?) Of course, I guess since it's usually about current events type stuff it's not that amazing. I actually went to a liquor store today and I think there was tumble weed rolling down the middle of the aisles
ReplyDeleteUm - WHO has the best wines? Ever heard of BC wines from the Okanangan valley? *hmmph!*
ReplyDelete(lifts chin defiantly and stalks out of room)
(sticks head back in briefly)
And in BC we have lots of private liquor stores now, too!
Oh - and your new header is quite pretty. I really like it a lot!
ReplyDeleteThis is quite hilarious in my opinion. I live very near to Toronto and from what I've seen of cottagers buying liquor on Friday nights as they pass through Barrie - well, it comes as no surprise to hear people were stocking up on their favourite mind-numbing beverage. And personally I'm in favour of the LCBO - sale of liquor should be strictly controlled (not to mention it brings in lots of money for the government which can then go to spending in more important areas.... but that's just my opinion.
ReplyDeleteAs soon as there are rumblings of a shortage of anything...... people stock up and cause a shortage.
ReplyDeleteIt is the same the world over.
I believe that is something you Aussies take great pride in, Frogdancer.
ReplyDeleteHa, I laughed when I went to your post right after posting mine, XUP, and it appears I need to head out to my local LCBO and and check amongst the tumbleweeds for Okanagan wines to appease Pinklea.
I rather think it is not such a bad thing either, Pan's Island, and then there is that luscious Food&Drink magazine they publish (for free!!).
ReplyDeleteYes, this is true, Maggie May, but "terrified"? I don't think we go that far. The Toronto Star has a particular liking for hyperbole and fear-mongering
Do all these liquor laws prevent alcoholism and drinking problems? Does it stop youngsters getting beer and spirits when they are under-age? Or making a nuisance of themselves drunk on the streets at night? And drunk driving?
ReplyDeleteI'm not being sarcastic, I just would like to know. You can buy beer, wine and spirits almost anywhere in the UK - Supermarkets, "Boozers" (specialist drink outlets) mini markets, as well as at the millions of public houses (Pubs). Wine, Beer and spirits are offrered at cheap prices, plus the drinks aimed at "young" drinkers (too young) like alcopops.
And then we wonder wny we have a problem with "binge drinking"!
Hubby makes our wine and his beer so we never have to be concerned. We enjoy a glass of wine with dinner but apart from that I don't have anything and he likes a beer in the afternoon when he has finished work.
ReplyDeleteThat's funny - people are so easily panicked.
ReplyDeleteHome made brew... great idea, Berni - especially if you don't drink much (you can put it in smaller bottles!)
ReplyDeleteAnd over such trifles, SAWoman.
Gilly, there seems to be a delicate balance regarding availability and drunkenness. I remember the days when you could not order a drink without food (which led to peanuts on the bar!). Sometimes I think that should be returned - a few would benefit, I'm sure
ReplyDeleteWhen all important and vital supplies as coolers and vodka get stockpiled it's really time to panic!
ReplyDelete;-)
Or get together with friends to share the bounty, Peter.
ReplyDelete