Some bars and restaurant owners in Guelph saw the writing on the wall.
With the LCBO strike on the horizon, many went out and bought extra liquor to stock up for their establishment ahead of when workers hit the picket line last Friday.
But while there are options in case of a longer picket, some growing pains will exist.
“For us, especially us, we’re like 28 per cent cocktails on our sales,” said Richard Overland, co-owner of NV Kitchen and Bar. “Those cocktails all come from the LCBO. It would really affect us if it went beyond (a certain amount of time).”
Overland, who made it known he is in support of the workers on strike, said NV won’t have a shortage of liquor.
He went and grabbed a larger order than usual to get through the next couple weeks, and is anticipating an email any day to start placing orders online.
Doug Todd, co-owner of Standing Room Only – another bar that specializes in cocktails – has been keeping tabs on the potential strike over the last few weeks.
“It was last week, I went on a binge and took three shopping carts worth of liquor out of a liquor store, and went to another liquor store to get some more,” he said.
He doesn’t see himself needing to panic for at least two weeks, and is prepared to go to a private LCBO convenience outlet store to restock.
The closest ones are at the Ultramar gas bar on Brock Road – just north of the 401 – and the Foodland on Alma Street in Rockwood.
LCBO stores are closed for two weeks, and was prepared to open five distribution sites this week for licensees. But the province scrapped that plan due to picketing at those locations.
Product limits also apply on online orders.
Even if the strike persists, a limited number of stores are expected to open July 19, and will operate three days a week with limited hours.
Bars and restaurants we spoke with also noted spots in Guelph have liquor available, such as Dixon’s and Spring Mill Distillery.
At The Fat Duck Gastro Pub, it already uses Dixon’s vodka and gin from Spring Mill as its bar rail.
But the co-owner is prepared for some pains in the future.
“We won’t be able to get a lot of the higher end liquors and spirits that we’re used to getting, we’ll have to change our house wine,” said Rose Roberts.
“It’s not a disaster by any means, but it’s going to be an adjustment.”
She also expressed a willingness to travel to restock on some items, but she added some items will run out, and hopes people are understanding.
Between local and local-ish spots to grab liquor, Paul Randall, bar manager at The Wooly Pub, said the pub has options.
“I don’t really think it’s going to be too impactful here, unless it is really prolonged or if the online order system breaks down, then maybe," he said.
“But off the hop, it’s really been not much of an impact other than carrying more stock, which isn’t always favourable. It is what it is.”