If you’re planning to host family or friends for Thanksgiving this year, make sure to stock up on alcohol in advance. Both the Beer Store and LCBO locations across Ontario will be closed on Thanksgiving Monday, October 13.
LCBO stores will operate with regular hours on October 11 and 12 but will shut their doors for the holiday. Similarly, the Beer Store announced that all its retail locations will be closed provincewide on Thanksgiving Day, reopening on Tuesday, October 14.
While LCBO stores will be closed, some LCBO convenience outlets may remain open where permitted by local municipalities. These privately operated businesses are licensed to sell alcohol in communities that don’t have nearby LCBO stores and will follow their regular business hours.
Convenience stores with alcohol licences will also be allowed to sell beer, wine, cider, and ready-to-drink beverages during the holiday between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m. Licensed grocery stores may remain open as well, giving shoppers a few extra options if they run out of drinks on Monday.
For wine lovers, several retailers are keeping select locations open. Wine Rack will have multiple stores operating in communities across the province, including Toronto, Burlington, Niagara Falls, Ottawa, Guelph, Windsor, London, and many others. Magnotta Winery will open its Vaughan and Beamsville stores from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and its Kingston location from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Wine Shop will also have various locations open, with details available on its website.
To avoid a Thanksgiving surprise, it’s best to check specific store hours online for LCBO convenience outlets, grocery stores, or wine retailers near you before the holiday.