Pizza, coffee, Slurpees, and glass of cabernet sauvignon?
You may soon be able to grab liquor from 7-Eleven.
According to the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) web site, 7-Eleven has applied for liquor licences for 61 of its stores throughout the province, including the Guelph locations on Speedvale Avenue and Eramosa Road.
If 7-Eleven does get a liquor license, customers will not be able to walk out with an alcoholic beverage. It would be for consumption in a designated area inside the store only.
The applications entered public notice Wednesday.
Guelph's two locations currently have required notices posted near their front doors regarding the applications.
Right now, there are nearly 450 grocery stores across Ontario that sell beer and cider out of which 150 sell wine. There are over 660 LCBO stores, over 280 LCBO convenience outlets, and over 450 Beer Stores in the province. The province has also stated that it is working on a plan to expand the number of retail locations that can sell alcohol.
The chain also applied for two licenses in Waterloo among the 61 applications.
All pending liquor licenses are available for the public to view on the AGCO website. The deadline for members of the public to object to Guelph's 7-Eleven liquor submissions is March 11.
On Dec. 9, 2020, the provincial government modified a few regulations in order to support bars and restaurants while they try to recover from the pandemic. The AGCO had also amended some policies to provide businesses with additional relief during the pandemic.
7-Eleven did not respond to an immediate request for comment.
According to The Canadian Press, the company says alcohol would be for consumption in a designated area inside the store only and administered by smart serve-trained staff.
“We are committed to meeting the needs of our Ontario customers and we look forward to the opportunity to grow jobs and contribute to the Ontario economy,” the company told The Canadian Press in a statement.
– with files from The Canadian Press
