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Vancouver city council has approved zoning bylaw amendments allowing the sale of liquor in grocery stores.
The vote took place at a public hearing on Tuesday night and NPA councillor George Affleck tweeted "sorry for the wait, everyone."
Finally. Vancouver Council officially allows liquor stores in grocery stores. Sorry for the wait, everyone. #cheers #vanpoli @saveonfoods
— George Affleck (@george_affleck) April 18, 2018
A new retail definition, "grocery store with liquor store," will replace the previous definition of a grocery store, which include drug stores says the city in a release. Alcohol will not be sold in drug stores.
Last year, Vancouver city council voted against permitting BC VQA wines to be stocked on grocery store shelves to go with the "store-in-store" model, which requires grocers to have a separate space in the store for alcohol sales with its own cashier.
The provincial government changed the law to allow B.C. wine to be sold in grocery stores on April 1, 2015 and at least 21 grocery stores in B.C. are already selling wine.
"Over the last few years, we have undertaken extensive public and stakeholder consultation regarding updates to the city's liquor policies," says Kaye Krishna, general manager, development, buildings and licensing. "These amendments not only balance the public's request, but also bring our liquor bylaws in line with provincial regulations."
More guidelines and policies regarding the sale of alcohol in qualifying grocery stores will be reported to council in early May. City staff expect to start accepting applications from grocers as of May 14.
