NSLC Calls Bids for Privately Run Stores

?N.S. LIQUOR COMMISSION -NSLC Calls Bids for Privately Run Stores

The Nova Scotia Liquor Commission announced today that requests for proposals will be called through the Public Tenders Office on Wednesday, Feb. 21, for establishing privately run Liquor Agency Stores in eight small communities across Nova Scotia.

The Agency Store Program was announced last fall by Rodney MacDonald, Minister responsible for administering the Nova Scotia Liquor Commission.

The eight locations are in Advocate, Bass River, Freeport, French Shore, the Iona area of Cape Breton, New Ross, Wentworth Valley and Whycocomagh.

Advocate, Bass River and Wentworth will be subject to winning positive responses in local plebiscites.

By establishing the eight stores, the government and the NSLC will be able to monitor and evaluate the concept of private operators selling beverage alcohol in Nova Scotia.

The Agency Store Program is similar to successful programs in New Brunswick and other provinces.

Bruce Rogers, NSLC's director of retail services, said the liquor commission is looking forward to establishing these agency stores as successful, ongoing business operations.