Alcohol To Be Available At Convenience, Grocery and Big Box Stores In Ontario Start No Later Than Jan. 1, 2026

Alcohol will be available to purchase at all participating convenience, grocery, and big box stores throughout the province beginning no later than Jan. 1, 2026, as announced by the Ontario Government in Etobicoke on Thursday morning.

Doug Ford, Ontario Premier (left) and Peter Bethlenfalvy, Ontario Minister of Finance (right) making the announcement at a convenience store in Etobicoke. Screenshot.

Alcohol such as beer, wine, cider, coolers, seltzers and other low-alcohol ready-to-drink beverages are at all participating conveniences, grocery stores and big box stores across the province. Spirits such as vodka, whiskey, gin, etc., will continue to be sold at the LCBO, according to Premier Doug Ford.

“We made a promise to the people of Ontario to deliver more choice and convenience,” he said. “Today, we’re delivering on that promise. There’s no reason why Ontario consumers shouldn’t enjoy the same convenient shopping experience as Canadians in every other province when buying some wine for their holiday party or a case of beer or seltzers on their way to the cottage.”

Roughly 8,500 participating stores are participating in the expansion of alcohol being sold in new outlets.

The provincial government has informed Brewers Retail Inc. (The Beer Store) that the Master Framework Agreement (MFA), signed and extended for a decade by the previous government in 2015, limited the number of retail stores that could be authorized to sell alcohol, will not be renewed after it expires on Dec. 31, 2025 according to a press release. However, The Beer Store and LCBO is continuing their retail operations in Ontario’s new marketplace.

“The people of Ontario will soon have more choice and convenience on where they can buy alcohol,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance. “As we move towards implementing this expansion, our government will be taking a responsible, measured approach so we can ensure our transition to a new marketplace is smooth, safe and stable.”

The government’s approach also includes the following initiatives as stated in a press release:

• Competitive pricing: Ontario will introduce competitive pricing to all private retailers to promote competition and a better deal for consumers. LCBO retail stores will maintain consistent pricing across the province to help ensure consumers do not pay more based on where they live, including in rural and northern Ontario. As they do in other provinces, retailers can set promotional prices consistent with relevant regulations. Minimum pricing policies will remain in effect to preserve standards for responsible consumption.

• Pack sizes: Ontario is removing restrictions and exclusivities on pack sizes. Consumers will be able to purchase any pack size, including 12-packs, 24-packs or even 30-packs, as is popular in Quebec of beer, cider and ready-to-drink alcohol beverages at convenience, grocery and big box stores, in addition to the LCBO and The Beer Store.

• Recycling program: The Beer Store has agreed to continue to run the provincewide recycling program for alcoholic beverage containers until at least 2031 as part of a transition period in the new marketplace. This program, which is well-liked and convenient for consumers with hundreds of locations across the province, helps keep costs down for producers and consumers while helping to protect the environment by diverting significant amounts of waste from landfills. The government will consult with retailers and industry stakeholders on the future of recycling and deposit returns to ensure this important feature is maintained beyond 2031.

• Support for local beverage alcohol producers: Ontario will provide a range of transitional and time-limited supports to Ontario-based producers to help with the transition to a more open marketplace, including:

  • Extending dedicated shelf space requirements across all new retailers for craft producers to provide opportunities for small producers to compete

  • Immediately enhancing the Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) Wine Support Program beginning in 2024-25 for up to five years to 2028-29 to support the growth and sale of Ontario-grown VQA wines

  • Extending the Wine Marketing Fund and the Small Cidery and Small Distillery Support Program for up to five years

  • Supporting local economic development by directing the LCBO to promote and prioritize Ontario-made products, producers and workers by providing more and enhanced programs, promotions and strategies to help local producers grow Ontario product sales

  • Establishing a wine and grape industry sector table between government and industry partners

  • Introducing legislation that will, if passed, eliminate the 6.1 per cent wine basic tax at on-site winery retail stores, making Ontario’s tax regime competitive with other provinces, including British Columbia

• Social responsibility: The government is providing an additional $10 million over five years in funding to the Ministry of Health to support social responsibility and public health efforts to ensure alcohol continues to be sold and consumed safely in the expanded marketplace. Existing requirements related to staff training, minimum pricing, hours of sale and warning signs will be maintained and applied to all new retail outlets.

• Wholesale: The LCBO will be the exclusive wholesaler for all retail, bars and restaurants selling alcohol and will offer consumers an extensive array of choices, including domestic and imported products. This structure will continue to offer the benefits of the LCBO’s world-leading purchasing power and economies of scale and ensures sector stability, including maintaining an important employment footprint across Ontario and a significant revenue stream for government so that it can continue to invest in critical frontline services like health care and education. The province is proud of its LCBO workforce and will continue to support them through this transition.

• Distribution: The LCBO will continue to work with producers and retailers to distribute wine and spirits in an expanded marketplace, including retail stores, bars and restaurants. The Beer Store has agreed to maintain its primary role in the distribution of beer to retailers, bars and restaurants until at least 2031 as part of the transition period, helping to provide stability to the sector and frontline workers. The province will also permit more flexible distribution models for small producers.

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Popular Bubble Tea Franchise 'Chatime' Hosts Grand Opening In Peterborough's North End

Peterborough’s newest entrepreneur Kanza Ghzanfar started her week-long grand opening of the popular bubble tea franchise Chatime in the north end of town on Friday.

Kanza Ghzanfar (left) with her brother Zaeem Ghzanfar (right) during Chatime’s first day of business. Their father owns the neighbouring Osmow’s Shawarma and is operated by Zaeem. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The grand opening runs until Nov. 23. The storefront is located on 1447 Water St. Unit 6 next to the Osmow’s Shawarma. Ghzanfar’s family owns the latter and had worked there for an extended period of time since opening in 2018. The young entrepreneur wanted to take a risk and bring her love of bubble tea to Peterborough.

“Personally, I'm just the biggest fan of Chatime myself and five years ago I was craving bubble tea,” she said. “I put 'bubble tea' in Google Maps and the closest it was taking me to was Oshawa.”

Bubble Tea is a popular Taiwanese drink commonly consists of green or black flavoured tea typically with chewy tapioca balls (that act as the ‘bubbles’) and can include milk. Other popular toppings include popping boba (encased spheres of syrup or juice), jelly or fruit.

Customers can adjust sugar and ice levels to their bubble tea as the beverage boasts to be a healthier alternative to other sweet drinks.

Chatime is an chain with over 3,000 locations worldwide according to their website. It is widely popular in the Durham and Greater Toronto Area region.

Ghzanfar is from Toronto and attended University of Toronto (St. George Campus), earning a double major bachelor’s degree in criminology and politics. She earned her Masters at Wilfrid Laurier University, studying national security. She turned down a Ph.D offer and wanted to stick to her roots. She was immersed in a business with her family for several years and wanted to continue that.

“Back then, I didn't know I was going to get involved in the business world but I knew that if I was going to do something at any point, it would have to be bubble tea related,” explained Ghzanfar.

The week-long grand opening has a photo booth with bubble tea props. There are also two daily promotions during that week including a buy on get on free promotion on select drinks (Pearl Milk Tea, QQ Mango, Peach Green Tea) from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Customers can spin a wheel to possibly win free drinks, toppings and other prizes from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

The store is fully-employed by Trent University students and accepts Trent flex cards as payment. Ghzanfar had many food and drink options in close proximity to her post-secondary institutions but believes Trent students do not have the same luxury.

“I feel like with Trent, there are wasn't that many options for students that were available so close to campus so that was primarily why I wanted to target that kind of community,” she explained. “At the end of the day, I still wanted to get involved with the locals are aware of our presence, what the product is and what we bring to the table.”

Chatime is open seven days a week and are open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Delivery orders can be made through DoorDash, Uber Eats and Skip the Dishes.

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Pescatarian Restaurant The Vine Captures Peterborough DBIA Mac + Cheese Champion Title

One Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) title was not enough for The Vine as they have been crowned the Mac + Cheese Champion from the month-long Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival.

This is the second DBIA food/drink title for the Vine less than one year in business. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

This win is fresh off The Vine’s Caeser Fest crown back in August, less than a year after the pescatarian restaurant’s opening with their Kimchi Mac and Cheese.

“There’s no right or wrong way to make a mac and cheese and I think that's what makes this festival so special. The variety of flavour profiles you see in all the dishes are all unique and cater to different palettes. As a chef you can go traditional, or jazz it up and make it as crazy as you want,” said Tyrone Flowers, The Vine co-owner. “We’re so pumped to win and the thing is, mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food and that’s what we specialize in here, so we are really proud to be recognized for that especially being a new business in the downtown.”

The Vine’s Kimchi Mac and Cheese winning entry. Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

As this year’s winner, The Vine will receive a cheesy hand-crafted trophy, a sizeable donation to Kawartha Food Share in the restaurant(s) name and bragging rights for the year.

Second place was the El P’s Leek and Pesto Mac and Cheese followed by Crook and Coffer’s Croustade Macaroni au Fromage.

During October, 21 signature mac and cheese dishes were featured on local menus within the downtown restaurant scene for both dine-in and takeout as part of the month-long foodie competition.

Each participating restaurant competed for over 1,000 votes cast to become the Mac + Cheese Champion.

The winning recipe(s) from the previous year’s competition will be available online and a make-at-home recipe curated with local ingredients.

“Every year we see the chefs in our downtown business community take it to the next level and always surprise us with something new, exciting and drool-worthy,” said Amanda Bedford, DBIA marketing and communications coordinator. “We have an unmatchable culinary scene here in Peterborough and we’re so lucky to have that, everyone loves mac and cheese and I already can’t wait to dig into next year’s entries.”

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Fleming Student Administrative Council Seeking Sponsors To Aid Student Food Insecurity

Fleming Student Administrative Council (SAC) is seeking sponsors for their monthly ‘Lunch Grab&Go’ initiative to help combat student food insecurity.

Photo courtesy of Fleming SAC.

The program provides free lunches for Fleming students especially to those who struggle to afford food daily according to a Fleming SAC representative.

“Times are tough right now and every little bit helps,” according to a Fleming SAC statement. “Help feed Fleming students so they can focus on school and no\tw where their next meal is going to come from.”

Sponsors will have their logo on display to SAC’s marketing to create brand awareness for the event in exchange for sponsorship.

Potential sponsors can e-mail info@flemincsac.ca for more information.

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Award-Winning Mac + Cheese Festival Returns to Downtown Peterborough For Third Straight Year For All of October

There are 21 Downtown Peterborough Businesses vying for the title in the third year of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) award-winning Mac + Cheese Festival, running all of October, announced at the Venture North Building on Wednesday morning.

Three mac and cheeses were sampled at the press conference: Heartburn City, Mind Your Carrots & Peas and Lactose Overload. Photo by David Tuan BUi.

The downtown businesses offer their mac and cheese dishes for all of October for take-out or dine-in. Classic macs, adventurous macs, handheld macs and even ‘mac-it-at-home’ options are available for this year’s festival.

The winning business will receive their bragging rights for the year, a hand-crafted trophy, the title of mac-and-cheese champion and a donation to Kawartha Food Share in their name.

New businesses entering the competition include The Vine, The Food Shop, The Pasta Shop and Sam’s Place Weinery.

Anyone can vote online for their favourite mac and cheese dishes throughout the month and use a Mac Map to locate which businesses are participating.

“We were so beyond proud to be chosen as the top mac of 2022, tying with Capra Toro for the winning prize,” said Amanda da Silva, The El(P) co-owner. “Being a newer business in downtown Peterborough, we’ve had such a blast participating in these foodie festivals. The culinary competition in this city sure is steep.”

The festival website has previous winning recipes and locally curated recipes for home chefs. Recipe cards include a hearty ‘local mac’ that utilizes local ingredients from The Ptbo Food Shop and recipes from previous champions: Sam’s Place and The El (P).

“Our Mac + Cheese Festival has been incredibly successful both locally and provincially and has even gone on to inspire other BIAs in the province to adopt similar events,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We won an award last year for ‘special events and promotions’ at the Ontario Business Improvement Area awards conference and our team is really proud of how these cheesy shenanigans continue to inspire not only local chefs but other cities in Ontario.”

At the press conference, three mac and cheeses were sampled at the event.

• Heartburn City: Pickled jalapenos, hot sauce and crushed Hot Cheetos

• Mind Your Peas & Carrots: Peas, carrots and hot dog slices

• Lactose Overloard (winner): Havarti, mozzarella, marbled cheddar, Tex-Mex and queso

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Maple Ridge Retirement to Distribute Community Care Peterborough's Meals On Wheels In New Partnership

Maple Ridge Retirement has become the new provider for Community Care Peterborough’s (CCP) hot Meals on Wheels in a new partnership announced at the Hunt Terrance on Tuesday morning.

Warden Bonnie Clark (right) and Councillor Matt Crowley (left) sampling some of the meals offered through the ‘Meals on Wheels’ program. Food included salads, chicken noodle soup, steamed vegetables, broccoli and cheese quiche and lemon squares. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CCP’s Meals on Wheels program provides meals to seniors living alone and to adults with disabilities who are unable to shop for groceries or cook for themselves. Those discharged from a hospital with limited or no help during recovery are also ideal candidates for the program. Last year, over 43,000 meals were delivered to clients.

“It was a natural fit for our Meals on Wheels program,” said Danielle Belair – CCP executive director. “The wonderful new kitchen facility at the Hunt Terraces property that is staffed by Maple Ridge Retirement’s professional chef and his team are preparing meals to their residents in this building so we are able to share resources to help our clients too.”

“Peterborough Housing Corporation (PHC) is delighted to collaborate with Maple Ridge Retirement Services, enhancing the dining experience for our tenants by offering nutritious meals in a warm and inviting atmosphere,” said Travis Doak, PHC director of operations. Additionally, this partnership enables us to optimize our kitchen facilities, supporting the well-respected Meals on Wheels Program, operated by Community Care Peterborough.”

Hunt Terrace is a six-story building at 555 Bonaccord Street known as an intergenerational living environment with 85 units comprised of senior supportive, affordable and market units, according to a press release. Amenities in the building include commercial space, a dining room with meal options, laundry facilities and multi-purpose rooms that the community can use.

“We are pleased to welcome the Meals on Wheels Program to Hunt Terraces,” said Hope Lee, PHC CEO. “Our vision for the commercial space at this property includes partnerships that serve not only the needs of our tenants but those of the public. This is an amazing addition towards that vision.”

“Our team at Maple Ridge Retirement is very proud to be supporting Peterborough Housing’s project at Hunt Terraces,” said Michael May, vice president of operations at Maple Ridge Retirement Services As more and more people move in and others use the facility we are seeing the wide ranging benefits to the community.”

Hot Meals on Wheels are delivered Monday to Friday in the City of Peterborough and on Tuesdays and Thursdays to Lakefield area clients all year round. Meals are $8.75 per meal, including soup or salad, entrée, roll and dessert. CCP volunteers pick up their packed, insulated bags containing hot meals and deliver them to their client’s homes along a pre-planned route (with 13 routes total).

CCP is in a volunteer crisis and needs volunteers to help deliver their Meals on Wheels to clients. Expenses such as gas and mileage are compensated during their deliveries. Volunteers can apply online, in person or by calling (705) 742-7067 and asking for Melissa.

“Our clients have been so pleased with the meals that Maple Ridge Retirement has been providing through our Meals on Wheels program,” said Belair. “By sharing resources and utilizing our amazing team of volunteers, we are also able to keep our hot meals affordable for our clients in the City of Peterborough and in Lakefield.”

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Get a Tastes of the World of Lakefield Farmers' Market's 'Around the World' This Thursday

The Lakefield Farmers’ Market is celebrating international cuisine and multicultural vendors at the ‘Around the World’ themed market behind the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre on Thursday.

Photo courtesy of Lakefield’s Farmers’ Market.

There will be local vendors offering cuisine from around the world including Indo-Canadian cuisine from Jess’s Kitchen, savoury and sweet Mexican food from La Mesita and New Zealand-style meat pies from Kia Ora Pie Co.

The vendors are also stocked with their fall harvests and unique handcrafted items. Farrucas Duo will be performing live Latin music.

The Lakefield Farmers’ Market runs weekly until Oct. 5. Visit the market every Thursday, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., rain or shine, behind the Lakefield-Smith Community Centre.

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Husband and Wife Make Selwyn Its Home For Their BeaverTails Food Trailer

Canadian pastry and franchise BeaverTails has made its home in Selwyn thanks to wife and husband Michelle and Adam Levesque who opened their food trailer beside Home Hardware located at 1665 Chemong Rd. on Thursday.

Adam (left) and Michelle Levesque (right) showcasing a strawberry cheesecake BeaverTail and strawberry lemonade. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

BeaverTails are deep-fried dough that can be topped with spreads, sauces, chocolate bar bits, fruit/fruit sauces and more. Some places also add ice cream in combination with the aforementioned items.

The Levesque’s trailer has 11 varieties of BeaverTails to choose from, ranging from the classic of cinnamon and sugar, all the way to their Avalanche (Skor cheesecake). They have four flavours of Beaver Bites where the dough is fried into bite-size balls, comparable to Tim Horton’s Timbits. Other products sold include brownie pies, Beaver Bites sundaes, ice cream, poutine, hot dogs, fries and more.

The Avalanche BeaverTail (Skor Cheesecake) considered to be one of the most popular flavours according to the staff. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The mEHple keeps the Canadian tastes going with a maple-flavoured spread and maple sugar crunch. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The idea stemmed from Adam working in the Durham region with his other business A & M Tools Inc. and discovered a BeaverTails food truck. That inspired him to open one himself and propose the idea to Michelle despite them having no prior food-handling experience.

“We wanted something more family-oriented,” she explained. “He runs the tools and I do the back end but nothing that my kids can grow up, join in and be staff in our facility. He came home one day and said, ‘Let's do it, let's make a BeaverTails.’”

The couple started their journey in February, learning how to make the product and being a franchisee. Opening the business was not easy for the couple when they started their road to becoming franchisees. The trailer they purchased originally was not up to provincial standards for becoming a food truck and the couple went to great lengths to get it up to code according to Michelle.

“We had to change a couple of things,” she explained. “A couple of fryers, different health codes and stuff like that to make sure that we were in compliance with Ontario standards.”

The trailer had to go through several inspections however due to staffing shortages, they could not be done in a timely manner delayed their opening according to a Facebook post made in July.

The trailer finally opened for business on Thursday and both Adam and Michelle had a hectic, busy but productive first day.

“It kept steady and we appreciate everyone's patience with us having been our first day,” said Michelle.

The couple is planning activities for the winter and summer for customers to be immersed in the community and want to be open all year round.

“We want to build an ice rink so that it's winter-friendly. Everyone can come out, have a skate, get your BeaverTail like a mini Ottawa experience here,” said Michelle. “In the summer, we want to have outdoor games. We just want everyone to be a bit patient because we are still building.”

The following are the trailer’s operating hours:

• Thursdays: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

• Friday/Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

• Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

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Habitat for Humanity PKR Hosting Inaugural Sunday Dinner at the ReStore Fundraiser

Habitat for Humanity Peterborough & Kawartha Region is hosting its First-Annual Sunday Dinner at the ReStore to celebrate community, connection and a shared commitment to affordable homeownership on Oct. 22.

The event features a harvest dinner, wines, cocktails, entertainment and a silent auction. The items are donated by local businesses.

“We are excited to host our first Sunday Dinner at the ReStore and bring people together to share a meal as you would at home with family,” said Susan Zambonin, Habitat CEO. “This unique event not only promises an evening of delicious food and connection but also an opportunity for our community to rally behind a cause that truly makes a difference for families in need of safe, decent and affordable homeownership.” 

All proceeds from this event will contribute to Habitat for Humanity PKR's Phase 2 development, a 12-unit affordable condo project currently under construction in the City of Peterborough.

The event runs from 5:30 p.m to 8:30 p.m. at the The Peterborough North ReStore at 300 Milroy Drive. Tickets are $125 and can be purchased via phone at 705-874-0201 or online at www.habitatpkr.ca 

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Lang Pioneer Village to Hold Corn Roast On Aug. 27.

Join the harvest season as the Corn Roast at Lang Pioneer Village Museum is happening on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Photo courtesy of Lang Pioneer Village.

The family-friendly day has historic demonstrations, live music, and plenty of fire-cooked corn. Tour with a free horse-drawn wagon ride and tour the historic village.

The village will teach visitors how corn was used back then with examples such as corn bread, popcorn, dried corn, corn soups, and corn relish in the Fitzpatrick House, and sample some Johnny cake with maple syrup in the Milburn House.

The village will have demonstrations including threshing, bagging, fanning mill and corn grinding.

Traditional music is being performed by Lotus and Luke from the Weaver Shop porch.

A corn-on-the-cob eating contest taking place on the Village Green. Corn crafts and corn hole by the Ayotte Cabin are some activities that will be run.

Admission is $15 for adults, $10 for students and seniors (60+), $7 for youths (ages 5-14) and free for children under five. Family admission is also available for $40 and includes two adults and up to four youths (ages 5-14). Visitors may purchase admission in advance via the Museum’s online shop but advance purchase is not required.

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