Locations, owners announced for 50 private liquor stores

The Saskatchewan government has announced the list of store locations and owners involved in the major privatization overhaul of its liquor system.

The change involves the privatization of 39 existing government-ownedliquor stores and permitting 11 more private liquor stores to open.

The plan to convert approximately half of the government-owned liquor stores to private liquor storeswas announced in 2015, before the latest provincial election in April. The government said at that time it wouldn't go ahead with the plan until after the election.

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Liquor store employees to operate 6 stores

When the Saskatchewan government first announced its plans to privatize the stores, it said 170 workers would receivejob-loss notices, and that those affected would receive preferential treatment during the bidding process for the permits to operate the new private stores.

The government requested proposals in July, and now the successful proponents have been selected for the 50 stores. Fourteenof the successful proposals come from co-operatives, ninefromSobeys, and sixselected owners are Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority (SLGA)employees affected by the changes.

When, where private stores are opening

Before receiving permits, the people who proposed to operate the stores must complete theregulatory portion of the application process.

The government says the 39 existing SLGA stores that are converting to private stores will continue to operate until the new locations are open. Those 39 stores set to be privatized include SLGA locations at 20th St. W and Market Mall in Saskatoon and 12th Avenue and Broad Street in Regina.

Opening dates for the new stores will vary, depending on whether new storesare being built or ifrenovations are planned. A government release says many of the stores are opening within one year, and stores in Regina, Saskatoon, Yorkton, Melville, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw and Kindersleymust open in 2018.

People and businesseshave successfully applied to run private stores in the following communities:

11 new stores slated for 'underserved' communities

The government said population and expected growth in 11 communities showed they could support new private liquor stores. Those include locations in Regina and Saskatoon, though it's not clear in which specific neighbourhoods those stores will open. Moose Jaw, Yorkton, Emerald Park/White City, Aberdeen, Pilot Butte, Dalmeny, Osler, Hague and Bienfait are also on that list.