Trisha Shanks
Arrow Lakes News
Change is here. In an unprecedented transition from the notoriously old-fashioned business model, stores across the province, including the government run liquor store in Nakusp will now be open longer. The Nakusp branch began its new schedule on May 15; the store will be open until 7 p.m. on weekdays, late on the weekends and even on Sundays through until Labour Day. Thanks to changes in the provincial liquor laws handed down April 1, locals have the option to shop at the government store or the private store located within the K2 Rotor Lodge, which is open every day from 10 a.m. to 11p.m.
Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton said, “The goal of the government’s year-long modernization of its liquor policy involves offering more convenience for consumers and levelling the playing field for businesses, private and public.”
There have been several changes in liquor laws of late. First, the shelf prices decreased. Tax is no longer included in the price advertised below a product in any government-run liquor store — BC Liquor stores hopes to show that the government pricing is not higher than that of private stores.
Other changes are at hand, Anton told the CBC Vancouver’s The Early Edition, “People are used to having (a wide variety of) stores open, and it’s always been a little odd — certainly in the last while — that BC Liquor Stores are closed so much on the weekends and holidays.”
The days of banker’s hours seem to have drawn to a close. Acting manager this weekend at the BC Liquor store, Deb Godtmark said, “customers are loving it. We had to hire one more person and the existing staff are getting more hours.”
The Liquor Control and Licensing Act, as rewritten, will further government efforts to make liquor licensing more efficient, seamless and fair, to expand convenience in ways that consumers, businesses and charitable organizations’ support such as by streamlining the special occasion licence application process and opening it up to event promoters, and to prevent illegal access to and consumption of liquor.”