It’s now official: as of September 5th, Ontario expands the sale of alcoholic beverages through convenience stores! This exciting change promises a new horizon for retail as 4,187 licensed convenience stores will offer beer, wine, and ready-to-drink beverages. Meanwhile, AGCO has been busy handing out 4,074 licences to the corner stores and 159 to grocery stores until August 26. That means more than half of the province’s 6,700 convenience stores are ready to break free of prohibitionist shackles and plunge head-first into the alcohol revolution.
While great for consumers who enjoy the convenience, this new freedom also comes with one major stipulation: refrigeration. As the demand for sufficient, safe, and sanitary refrigeration systems that keep drinks cold continues to rise, the need for our services from Cold Fuel rises with it. We can efficiently install walk-in coolers and walk-in freezers in any convenience store. Let’s dive in and see what these changes mean for convenience stores across the province!
Regulatory Changes: What’s Brewing?
The AGCO opened the doors to allow convenience stores to apply for the license back in June. As of August 26, the AGCO reported it had issued 4,074 licences to convenience stores and 159 grocery stores, which means now more than half of Ontario’s 6,700 convenience stores can join in on the action. Here’s what that tells us:
- Choice & Convenience: More places to grab your favourite drinks on the go!
- Economic Growth: A boon for local breweries and wineries looking to get their products into consumers’ hands.
- Regulatory Compliance: Stores must comply with all licensing requirements, including proper storage for their new products.
The Refrigeration Requirement
With this new wave of alcohol sales, convenience stores must invest in proper refrigeration systems. This is not just a simple structure with a few stands holding cold beverages but appropriate ones that must be stored under the correct temperatures to sustain quality and safety.
Why Proper Refrigeration Matters
Quality Control: Proper refrigeration will enable beverages to maintain optimum taste. Nobody likes a warm beer or flat soda!
Health & Safety: Storage of alcoholic beverages at their proper temperature is an essential factor in health compliance.
Customer Satisfaction: A cold drink on a hot day is what every consumer is in search of. Proper refrigeration gives any store an edge over competitors.
Types of Refrigeration Solutions
Convenience stores can offer walk-in coolers and freezers for such product influxes. The coolers come in handy for large quantities with their easy access and management, while the freezers will be a must for frozen cocktails and specialty drinks. Display coolers will expose a number of cold beverages that can be readily picked off the shelves.
Enter Cold Fuel: Your Refrigeration Experts!
Now that you realize how important refrigeration will be to this new enterprise, you desperately need a team for backup. That is where Cold Fuel comes in! Specializing in the installation and maintenance of walk-in coolers and freezers, we have been in the business of commercial refrigeration for more than a decade. Here’s what we bring to the table:
Certified & Skilled Technicians: Our personnel know about the inner details of refrigeration systems.
Warranty on Parts & Labour: We stand behind our work so you can have peace of mind.
24/7 Emergency Service: Because refrigeration emergencies don’t keep to a 9-5 schedule!
Get Your Refrigeration Right
If the sale of alcohol in a convenience store setting is being considered, proper refrigeration arrangement is a must-have. We have you covered for everything from walk-in cooler repair to commercial ice machine repair. Our efficient installation services guarantee that you’re ready to serve cold drinks to thirsty customers in no time!
Cheers to New Opportunities!
As the sales of alcohol in convenience stores increase dramatically in Ontario, the need for effective and efficient refrigeration solutions only continues to climb. This move paves the way for more consumer options while also creating an avenue for local products to take center stage. As a convenience store owner just getting ready for this change, now is the time to get your refrigeration systems on par. Don’t let a broken cooler or freezer come between you and happy customers!
Are you ready to keep beverages cold and customers happy? Contact Cold Fuel to help you today with the best walk-in freezer installation, commercial fridge repair, and so much more! Let us do the refrigeration work for you as you continue to serve Ontario. Cheers to your thriving alcohol-sale business!
