Special Wine Store

There is a government-imposed moratorium (freeze) on new wine stores and new applications are not being accepted. The moratorium is indefinite. There is no wait list.

The special wine store licence allows the sale of wine in a selected area on grocery store shelves. This includes

  • Wine
  • Cider
  • Mead
  • Sake

Restrictions

Special wine store licences are restricted to grocery stores with

  • A primary focus on selling all types and brands of foods, and non-liquor beverages
  • An area of at least 10,000 square feet

The wine store site can’t already have an existing or proposed

  • Licensee retail store
  • Wine store
  • BC Liquor Store

Convenience stores and multipurpose stores are not eligible for a special wine store licence