Ontario's 41 Costco locations can sell alcohol as of Oct. 31

Costco is getting into the booze business.

Ontario's 41 Costco Wholesale locations are among the latest grocery stores that have signed on to sell alcohol as of Oct. 31.

Publicly available information from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) lists liquor licences issued to the 41 locations, including the Costco in Sudbury, which is the only location in northern Ontario.

As with other grocery stores, Costco will be licensed to sell beer, wine, cider and pre-mixed cocktails, also known as ready-to-drink beverages.

The expansion on Oct. 31, to newly licensed grocery stores, is part of the province's growing plan surrounding alcohol sales.

Eight weeks ago, Premier Ford said the expansion "delivers on our government's promise to give people in Ontario the same choice and convenience enjoyed by people throughout the rest of Canada." That was when it was announced that 4,187 convenience stores were getting licensesto sell alcohol.

"We're also creating new opportunities to produce and sell world-class Ontario-made beer, wine and ready-to-drink beverages," Ford said at the time.

According to the ACGO, the more than 400 new grocery store licencesthat have been issuedand come into effect on Oct. 31 contain a provision that the stores can't sell any drinks that exceed 18 per cent alcohol.