Here’s which convenience stores sell alcohol in Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent

Ryan Sersen purchasing alcohol from Terry Yaldo at Midway Convenience. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

As of Thursday, you can now buy alcohol in select licensed convenience stores in Ontario.

Premier Doug Ford posted on X and said the provincial government is “delivering on our promise to treat people like adults while giving small businesses the chance to grow and create more local jobs.”

Locally, it is a welcome change.

“This is going to really help, in my eyes, save a lot of independent, small convenience stores across the province,” said Terry Yaldo, owner of Midway Convenience and chair of the Ontario Convenience Store Association.

“There’s been a struggle the last few years. It’s been tough and in this industry, we have had various challenges. I really, truly believe this will help a lot of community stores stay open and continue to be viable.”

Terry Yaldo showcasing the selection of ready-to-drink alcohol now sold in his store. (Chris Campbell/CTV News Windsor)

Ryan Sersen, a customer, also welcomes the change.

“I think it’s awesome that local businesses can have a chance to make a little bit of extra money and supply a need to the people, instead of just going to the Beer Store or government operated places,” he said.

"Right now it's about at 4200 stores in the province," Yaldo said. "And that's the nice thing about free enterprise, that you choose to have it, that option is there, and if you don't want to have it, you don't have to. Some people are kind of on the wait and see approach too. So I can see that number growing dramatically."

Yaldo said what excites him about the new alcohol rules is the ability to feature local products.

"That's the best part about this," he said. "I'm able to showcase some of our great local craft beers and wineries. And for me, I think that's important because I'm a small business. They're a small business. If we can help both grow each other's businesses and support each other, it's great for the local economy."

Yaldo explained the same selling model had been in place since 1927, suggesting the need to modernize was well overdue.

"We're all smart serve certified and we're all looking to keep our community safe," said Yaldo. "It's an age restricted product, just like many others that we do sell, like tobacco and vape products. We're very diligent on making sure someone's of age and we're going to keep that product in the hands of adults."

The province has compiled a complete map, outlining the convenience stores now licensed by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario.

You can view that here.