Beer Stores Closing in Ontario: 2026 Locations List

Ontario’s beer retail landscape is shifting faster than many residents realize. The Beer Store, a chain that’s been a fixture since 1927, announced a new round of closures affecting communities across the province in 2026. If you’re wondering which locations are shutting down and why this keeps happening, here’s what we know from the company’s official announcements and reporting from major news outlets.

Stores closing January 2026: Haliburton, Schomberg, Whitby · Stores closing March 2026: Brampton, Etobicoke, Hamilton, London · Announcement date: January 26, 2026 · Primary operator: The Beer Store

The following table summarizes key data points confirmed through The Beer Store’s official announcements and Global News reporting.

Why are beer stores closing in Ontario?

The closures stem from a fundamental shift in Ontario’s alcohol retail market that began accelerating in 2024. The Beer Store operated under government agreements for decades that limited competition and maintained a minimum store count. When the Master Framework Agreement was cancelled in May 2024, the company entered an Early Implementation Agreement requiring it to keep at least 300 stores open through the end of 2025 in exchange for $225 million from the Ontario government to mitigate job losses.

Since then, grocery stores have been permitted to sell beer and wine, with sales beginning in September 2024. This dramatically changed the competitive landscape for The Beer Store. The company received no additional government support after 2025, leaving it free to close locations without the restrictions that had been in place.

Government policy changes

The provincial government allowed alcohol sales to expand into grocery and convenience stores, a move that directly eroded The Beer Store’s market dominance. Starting January 1, 2026, all grocery stores selling alcohol must accept empty container returns—a service that was previously a core function of The Beer Store’s physical footprint.

Declining beer sales

Market share for The Beer Store has been falling steadily. Industry observers note that the chain’s market share is expected to drop from 41% in 2024 to approximately 15% by 2026-27. The combination of increased competition and shifting consumer preferences has made maintaining the previous number of locations economically unsustainable.

Which stores are shutting down in 2026?

Six locations are confirmed to close in 2026, with specific addresses and dates provided in The Beer Store’s official announcements.

January 2026 closures

Three stores closed on January 11, 2026: the Haliburton location at 15 Hops Dr. joined the Schomberg store at 17250 Hwy. #27 and a Whitby location at 3950 Brock St. N. in shutting their doors. A fourth store, in Oshawa at 150 Midtown Dr., closed on January 18, 2026.

The announcement for these closures was made on December 3, 2025. The company provided customers with information about alternative locations still operating in these markets.

March 2026 closures

Four additional locations are set to close on March 22, 2026. The Brampton store at 11 Worthington Ave. (L7A 2Y7), the Etobicoke location at 1735 Kipling Ave. (M9R 2Y8), the Hamilton store at 75 Centennial Parkway N. (L8E 2P2), and the London branch at 1727 Richmond St. (N5X 3Y2) will all cease operations on that date.

The company announced these closures on January 26, 2026. Alternative locations were listed for each affected market. In Brampton, customers can visit stores at 55 Charolais Blvd., 180 Sandalwood Pkwy. E., 932 N. Park Dr., 80 Peel Centre Dr., or 2890 Queen St. E. Etobicoke alternatives include 1530 Albion Rd., 3560 Lake Shore Blvd. W., and 666 Burnhamthorpe Rd. Hamilton residents have six nearby options, while London’s six alternative locations are spread across different neighborhoods.

What is the future of The Beer Store?

The company’s trajectory suggests continued consolidation. The March 2026 closures represent the ninth round of downsizing since the May 2024 agreement collapse. With no cap on closures currently in place and grocery competition intensifying, additional locations could follow.

Ongoing closure rounds

The chain has been systematically reducing its footprint. In 2025 alone, over 80 locations closed, bringing the total count to approximately 320 stores. By May 2024, the company had operated 438 locations before the first wave of closures began.

According to The Beer Store’s own statements, “the retail marketplace in Ontario continues to evolve and stabilize.” This language suggests the company views the current wave of closures as part of an ongoing adjustment rather than a crisis response.

Alcohol market shifts

The LCBO (Liquor Control Board of Ontario) remains the world’s largest single purchaser of alcohol, but The Beer Store’s market position has fundamentally changed. With grocery stores now competing directly and taking on the empty return obligation, the chain’s traditional role as the primary beer retailer is being redefined.

Ozzie Ahmed, VP Retail at The Beer Store, noted in official statements that the company “continues to operate alternative locations in each of these markets” to serve customers. A new Empty Return Locator tool was launched to help customers find places to return containers as the network changes.

What stores are closing down in Canada?

While this article focuses on Ontario’s The Beer Store closures, broader retail trends are affecting beer and alcohol retail across Canada. The pattern of chain consolidation seen in Ontario mirrors changes in other provinces, though specific closures vary by region.

Beer Store specific

Within Ontario, The Beer Store has borne the brunt of market restructuring. The chain operated over 450 stores as recently as December 2016. By late 2024, that number had fallen to 438, and by early 2026, the company is down to approximately 320 locations.

Prior to the January 2026 closures, seven stores closed on November 16, 2025, including locations in Alexandria, Barrie, Brampton, and South River. This shows closures are happening across different Ontario communities, not just in major urban centres.

Broader retail closures

The Beer Store closures fit within a larger pattern of traditional retail contraction in Ontario’s alcohol sector. Independent retailers and smaller chains have also faced pressure as larger operators consolidate operations.

Why are so many breweries shutting down?

While this article focuses on retail closures, the underlying causes affect Ontario’s broader brewing industry. Reduced foot traffic at Beer Store locations and competition from grocery sales have impacted both retailers and craft producers.

Sales decline

Craft breweries have reported challenges as the retail environment changes. With fewer The Beer Store locations and grocery stores now competing for beer sales, craft producers have fewer shelf positions and potentially reduced visibility.

Some breweries have responded by focusing on direct-to-consumer sales through their own taprooms or online ordering, but this model works better for larger producers with established customer bases.

Gen Z trends

Industry analysts note that younger consumers are showing lower rates of alcohol consumption compared to previous generations. This demographic shift is contributing to overall market contraction, making it harder for both large chains and smaller breweries to maintain sales volumes.

Timeline of Beer Store changes in Ontario

The current closures fit within a series of pivotal moments that reshaped Ontario’s beer retail landscape.

This timeline draws from official Beer Store press releases, Global News coverage, and industry reporting.

The pace of closures has actually slowed compared to mid-2025. Whether this represents market stabilization or a temporary lull before another wave of shutdowns remains uncertain.

Related reading: Ontario Sunshine List

These Beer Store closures coincide with major shifts in Ontario’s liquor landscape, including the 2025 alcohol tax cuts that halved spirits taxes and eased retail pressures.

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