THURSDAY March 26, 2015 Vol. 30 • No. 25 ••• $1.25 inc. G.S.T.
COMOX VALLEY
ARTS
SPORTS
New show at Pearl Ellis page 21
'Bukwas' wins another belt page 27
RECORD
March
Eyeweaary
Every week!
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349 B 5th St, Courtenay • (250) 334-2043
New liquor licensing laws set to take effect
CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION
Local grocers entertaining idea, but no imminent plans for expansion
NDP leader hears concerns from families ... Page 3
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Community bike swap returns ... Page 5
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What's going on at the museum? ... Page 7 The Comox Valley Toy Library has found a new home, at St. George's United Church.
No skiing during spring break this year.
manager of communications. “From our understanding, this entire change within the industry was public/customer driven, as it should be. We will continue to listen to our customers in our decision-making process, as we Scott Stanfield always have.” The lottery draw will be held Record Staff April 1, following an intake periAs of April 1, B.C. grocers will od that closes Friday. be allowed to sell alcohol at their The Justice Ministry says there premises — one of many rec- is no cap on the number of stores ommended liquor rule changes that will be selected. The total endorsed last year will be based on by the provincial the number of eliIt is something gible applications government. Under the policy, that we are actively received, and where private and governthey want to move. ment liquor stores looking at in all All moves will need will be permitted to Quality Foods to abide by a one locate within eligible locations. kilometre rule that grocery stores. The separates stores latter will be entered Mike Macmicking selling alcohol. into a lottery to The order that ensure fairness. applications are “It is something that we are selected in the lottery will deteractively looking at in all Quality mine who gets first dibs at a Foods locations,” Comox QF store location. Applicants are allowed manager Mike Macmicking said. to choose one location. If there Quality Foods in Courtenay — are multiple applications for the which sits next to a liquor store same location, those not approved — has only considered the idea of will be refunded. licensing its upstairs area. After the lottery process is “I just couldn’t see us with complete, there will still be an the Liquor Plus right next door,” option for liquor stores to relocate assistant manager Laura Dale and move into grocery stores. said. Criteria applied to grocers Though it doesn’t have defi- looking to sell alcohol would prenite plans at the moment, Thrifty vent smaller convenience stores Foods is excited about the pos- and big box stores from stocking sibility of offering wine, beer and booze. fresh food together. To be eligible to sell liquor, a “We are paying attention to the grocery store must sell at least changes taking place in B.C. leg- 70 per cent food-related products. islation regarding the sale of beer, Once liquor store sales are added, and wine and spirits, and will at least half the sales must concontinue to listen and learn, seek- tinue to be food-related. ing appropriate opportunities to For more information, visit bit. expand our offering where pos- ly/1N893og sible,” said Erin Coulson, Thrifty’s reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com
PHOTO BY KAREN MCKINNON
Former Courtenay Fire Chief Lawrence Burns addresses the audience at the Courtenay Firehall Centennial Banquet Saturday night at the Florence Filberg Centre. Burns had two reasons to celebrate; Saturday was his birthday as well.
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