The location of Battleford's private liquor store has been finalized. Sobeys Liquor is set to make the newly-developed Battleford Crossing area its home.
The news of its location comes after the announcement last November that Sobeys was named the successful bid to operate Battleford's independent liquor store.
Last year there were 50 similar openings available province-wide after the provincial government introduced an expanded retail system in July 2016. Other communities seeing expanded private liquor stores include Regina, Yorkton, Melville, Lloydminster, Moose Jaw and Kindersley. Of the 50 locations that were announced, 37 are Saskatchewan Liquor and Game Authority liquor stores that are being converted to the retail system.
In an email to the News-Optimist, Sobeys spokesperson Keri Scobie commented that due to being in the middle of the licensing process, she could not release details regarding the size or opening date of the liquor store.
The location comes as another blow to Battleford’s downtown core. The closing of the current location in the second avenue mall, compounded by last year’s closure of the downtown post office, will reduce downtown traffic, impacting other businesses.
