Mandate to expand liquor retail in Manitoba raises concern with beer vendor

Manitobans could have more places to pick up a cold one in the near future and not all are toasting to the news.

Manitobans could have more places to pick up a cold one in the near future and not all are toasting to the news.

The province has asked its new Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries board to take a shot at expanding the number of express liquor marts which are found in grocery stores.

It has Rick Green worried. For 47 years, he has sold beer – and only beer – at the Charleswood Beer Market.

"Beer is enough for us and also the government does a fine job of controlling and selling the hard liquor and I'd like to see them keep it that way," Green said.

On a busy day, he sees hundreds of customers walk through the market's doors. But he's concerned about stiff competition.

On Tuesday, the minister responsible for Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries released new mandates for the Crown corporation's board members.

That new mandate includes a call to, "responsibly expand public liquor retail stores, including Liquor Mart Express outlets, to give Manitobans more options, while maintaining support for the small businesses in rural and northern Manitoba that sell liquor."