Alcohol on Saskatoon's 20th Street: two views on privatizing the liquor store

A day after the provincial government announced plans to privatize a number of liquor stores, including the one on 20th Street in Saskatoon, reaction to the plan is mixed.

• Saskatchewan to privatize 40 government-owned liquor stores
• Several groups happy with Sask. government's move to privatize liquor stores
• SGEU among those unhappy with Sask. government's decision to privatize liquor stores

For some people, the idea of private liquor stores on 20th Street means opportunity and a chance to bring something unique and niche to an area going through a rapid transformation.

But others are worried about an influx of liquor outlets in the neighbourhood. 

The current liquor store is right in the heart of Riversdale, at the intersection of Avenue D and 20th Street. 

"We need to learn the lessons of privatization of alcohol that occurred in Alberta," Pat Lorje, city councillor for the area, said.  "We do not want to see a proliferation of low-end, high-profit liquor stores anywhere in this city."

Lorje said she doesn't disagree with the government's move, but she is concerned about a possible influx of liquor stores in Riversdale and "the concerns of the social agencies that would not want to see a proliferation of opportunities for people to get plastered."

She said the staff at the current SLGA location have worked hard to be socially responsible by refusing to sell single servings of some brands of alcohol, by not displaying cheaper alcohol prominently and by bringing in higher-end brands.

The councillor said she will bring up the notion of zoning bylaws to stop 20th Street from becoming a destination for drinking. She is proposing a plan similar to the way the city regulated pawn shops. 

"I would like to make sure that we don't have liquor stores, say within 1000 metres of a school. I just think that's reasonable to do."

Curtis Olson, the board chair of the business improvement district (BID),  has been a driving force behind the revitalization in Riversdale.

He wants to see boutique liquor stores come to 20th.

"We see a great business opportunity there for a great operator to enter the neighbourhood," he said.

Olson says their board has spent more than three years working with the Saskatchewan Liquor and  Gaming Association, trying to find ways to improve the store.

"The SLGA has been good to work with, but we've certainly have discovered the limitations to what they could and couldn't do."

Olson said he'd like to see a store that might specialize in craft beer and bring in brands from around the world. He noted the Second Avenue liquor store is not far from the area.

As for regulating problems that might be associated with drinking, Olson said business owners in the area are sensitive. 

"In the last number of years there are a lot of liquor licences that have been granted throughout Riversdale, usually to restaurants, but they are serving liquor at lunch, at supper, late into the night. And we don't have issues with any of those operators to date."

Olson added that the BID has an interest in making sure businesses are well operated. He referred to the Barry Hotel, which was torn down in 2008.

"There were major problems with that operation, and ... the BID took up the charge to try and bring that to an end, which was working against one of its members but it was for the greater good of the neighbourhood."