The organizers of the yet to be formed Business Improvement Association on South Bayview have their work cut out for them. One looming problem is the likely disappearance of the LCBO store at 1524 Bayview at Millwood Road. Even when the easy-up, easy down plastic signs were being installed in 2013 (inset) workmen were laughing at how short this location was going to last. The LCBO is following its time-honoured policy of going to the malls, where parking is free, big stores kiss them and so do the landlords. In this case, it appears the Bayview LCBO will find its new home in what is being called the Whole Foods development at 1860 Bayview and Broadway Ave. The construction on the old Brennan’s Pontiac site is speeding along and Whole Foods is committed to a 2015 opening. An LCBO there will make a nice tit-for-tat arrangement between the 1860 Bayview landlord, RioCan, and the other lucky host to a local LCBO, Smart Centre, on Laird Drive. What to do? There is no business like a liquor and wine store to make a street “vibrant” in the parlance of BIA promoters. It may be good news that the local MPP’s name is Kathleen Wynne. Who knows? Does the Leaside Property Owners Association care about South Bayview? There are options to the LCBO. They’re not as good but better than nothing. Vincor International, owners of the Wine Rack brand, have sniffed around South Bayview more than once. And there is that appealing 21st Century solution seen in many U.S. states and all across Asia: the wine vending machine. Compact, secure, convenient and, dare we say, vibrant. Sadly, the LCBO just doesn’t want to know about this concept it seems. Last April’s much-trumpeted notion of liquor kiosks in supermarkets has been shown up as a tawdry election gimmick. Plans call for so few of the outlets you might drive miles to find one, if they are ever built. Grocers face long odds of LCBO Kiosk Ontario should explore wine vending machines Liquor, wine and the future of South Bayview
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The organizers of the yet to be formed Business Improvement Association on South Bayview have their work cut out for them. One looming problem is the likely disappearance of the LCBO store at 1524 Bayview at Millwood Road. Even when the easy-up, easy down plastic signs were being installed in 2013 (inset) workmen were laughing at how short this location was going to last. The LCBO is following its time-honoured policy of going to the malls, where parking is free, big stores kiss them and so do the landlords. In this case, it appears the Bayview LCBO will find its new home in what is being called the Whole Foods development at 1860 Bayview and Broadway Ave. The construction on the old Brennan’s Pontiac site is speeding along and Whole Foods is committed to a 2015 opening. An LCBO there will make a nice tit-for-tat arrangement between the 1860 Bayview landlord, RioCan, and the other lucky host to a local LCBO, Smart Centre, on Laird Drive. What to do? There is no business like a liquor and wine store to make a street “vibrant” in the parlance of BIA promoters. It may be good news that the local MPP’s name is Kathleen Wynne. Who knows? Does the Leaside Property Owners Association care about South Bayview? There are options to the LCBO. They’re not as good but better than nothing. Vincor International, owners of the Wine Rack brand, have sniffed around South Bayview more than once. And there is that appealing 21st Century solution seen in many U.S. states and all across Asia: the wine vending machine. Compact, secure, convenient and, dare we say, vibrant. Sadly, the LCBO just doesn’t want to know about this concept it seems. Last April’s much-trumpeted notion of liquor kiosks in supermarkets has been shown up as a tawdry election gimmick. Plans call for so few of the outlets you might drive miles to find one, if they are ever built. Grocers face long odds of LCBO Kiosk Ontario should explore wine vending machines 