Provincial liquor rules are changing, and wine is coming to B.C. supermarkets. Should the City of Revelstoke act to prevent wine sales in Revelstoke supermarkets, which existing retailers say would severely impact their business? Or should the city take a hands-off approach? And, does the city even have a say in the matter, which is provincial jurisdiction?

Owner of the Cheers Liquor Store Brady Beruschi has appealed to Revelstoke City Council to implement a local law in response to provincial changes to liquor licensing.

The new rules allow liquor sales in supermarkets, but there is a one-kilometre exclusion zone around existing retailers. However, that one-kilometre rule doesn’t include wine sales in supermarkets.

The local businessman wrote to city councillors regarding the BC government’s April 1 change to legislation that allows wine on grocery shelves with a special license; a move Beruschi says poses serious consequences for smaller retailers.

“ABLE BC’s (Alliance of Beverage Licensees of B.C.) analysis of international experience demonstrates that, when wine is allowed on grocery shelves, between 65–70 percent of all wine sold in that jurisdiction is sold in grocery stores,” he wrote. “Small distributors are squeezed out of the market and local businesses are forced to close.”

Beruschi references an example from Kamloops city council, who passed a motion in June for an amendment requesting a one-kilometre distance rule for all future liquor licenses and retail stores, including wine sales at grocery stores, and asked Revelstoke council to look at something similar. The Kamloops bylaw amendment will go to a public hearing next month if approved through council.

At the July 14 city council meeting, councillors asked city staff to do further research on the matter, including looking at the movements of other local councils, then report back to council. This means any potential council action will come at a later date.

Provincial liquor rules are changing, and wine is coming to B.C. supermarkets. Should the City of Revelstoke act to prevent wine sales in Revelstoke supermarkets, which existing retailers say would severely impact their business? Or should the city take a hands-off approach? And, does the city even have a say in the matter, which is provincial jurisdiction?

Owner of the Cheers Liquor Store Brady Beruschi has appealed to Revelstoke City Council to implement a local law in response to provincial changes to liquor licensing.

The new rules allow liquor sales in supermarkets, but there is a one-kilometre exclusion zone around existing retailers. However, that one-kilometre rule doesn’t include wine sales in supermarkets.

The local businessman wrote to city councillors regarding the BC government’s April 1 change to legislation that allows wine on grocery shelves with a special license; a move Beruschi says poses serious consequences for smaller retailers.

“ABLE BC’s (Alliance of Beverage Licensees of B.C.) analysis of international experience demonstrates that, when wine is allowed on grocery shelves, between 65–70 percent of all wine sold in that jurisdiction is sold in grocery stores,” he wrote. “Small distributors are squeezed out of the market and local businesses are forced to close.”

Beruschi references an example from Kamloops city council, who passed a motion in June for an amendment requesting a one-kilometre distance rule for all future liquor licenses and retail stores, including wine sales at grocery stores, and asked Revelstoke council to look at something similar. The Kamloops bylaw amendment will go to a public hearing next month if approved through council.

At the July 14 city council meeting, councillors asked city staff to do further research on the matter, including looking at the movements of other local councils, then report back to council. This means any potential council action will come at a later date.