Regina's new private liquor store draws a big crowd
Sobeys liquor store holds grand opening on Friday
A new privately-owned liquor store was pulling in lots of customers at its grand opening in Regina on Friday.
People were lining up on the sidewalk outside the Sobeys liquor store about an hour before it opened.
Some shoppers told CBC News they were there in search of good deals on booze.
There have been other privately owned liquor stores in Saskatchewan, but Sobeys calls this one Regina's first "full service" store, with wine, beer and hard liquor.
Inside the 3,000-square-foot space on Rochdale Boulevard in the northwest corner of the city, there's a large selection of craft beers, a tasting bar and fridges that hold cheese to go with the wine.
The new private store is one of the changes the Saskatchewan government has green-lit as it revamps its liquor retailing system.
Right now there are 75 government-owned liquor stores, but the province is doing a review and is considering a number of options.
Those include everything from the status quo to an Alberta-style privatization of all government owned stores. A decision is expected in the fall.
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