NSLC Awards 15 New Agency Stores
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) announced today, May 11, that it is creating 15 new agency stores to improve service to smaller communities throughout the province. This brings to 23 the number of agency stores in Nova Scotia.
A request for proposals was issued by the NSLC for the creation of up to 23 additional agency stores on Wednesday, Nov. 10, 2004, to determine interest in these new distribution outlets in specific communities.
"Agency stores provide a cost-effective way for the NSLC to increase service in smaller communities," said Ken Barbet, president and CEO, NSLC. "The addition of these 15 agency stores is estimated to increase sales within each respective market by about three per cent."
The NSLC established its first eight agency stores in 2001. Agency stores are local businesses that are licensed to sell beverage alcohol in addition to their normal product mix. Most are convenience stores which have a designated area to sell at least 50 selections of wine and spirits and at least 12 domestic and imported beer selections. They are located in smaller communities and have projected beverage alcohol sales of less than one million dollars.
The NSLC reviewed the 40 submissions and is awarding 15 at this time.
The 15 businesses awarded are:
- Margaree (Inverness County) - Margaree (Forks) Co-operative
- St. Margarets Village (Victoria County) - Central Co-operative
- Upper Stewiacke (Colchester County) - Upper Stewiacke Co- operative
- Little Harbour (Pictou County) - Fiander's Variety
- Sambro (Halifax County) - Mishoo's Variety
- Carleton (Yarmouth County) - Carleton Country Outfitters
- Marion Bridge (Cape Breton County) - Churco Enterprises
- Mabou (Inverness County) - K & W Beaton Enterprises
- Greenfield (Queens County) - Greenfield General Store
- Petite Riviere (Lunenburg County) - Dawn's Market Ltd
- Cambridge (Hants County) - Dragonfly General Store
- Tidnish (Cumberland County) - K's Korner Store
- Maitland Area (Hants County) - Freize & Roy Enterprises of Maitland
- Monastery (Antigonish County) - Customer Choice Variety
- Mount Uniacke (Hants County) - Eddy's Grocery.
Three of the communities (Cambridge, Maitland and Tidnish) are currently "dry areas," prohibited from selling beverage alcohol. The NSLC has asked that the chief electoral officer of Nova Scotia hold a plebiscite in each of these areas. The municipal councils in these areas must also pass a resolution asking the same and this has been done in two of the communities.
The NSLC is still reviewing the opportunities in eight communities and will make an announcement once this is complete.
The Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation generates almost a half a billion dollars of revenue a year, returning in excess of $170 million profit annually to the province. It employs more than 1,200 Nova Scotians, offering 3,000 products from around the globe through 108 retail and eight agency stores across the province.