“It’s an exciting time to be in Fergus,” says LCBO CEO Bob Peter.
Peter was just one of a number of LCBO and trade representatives in town for the March 7 opening of the expanded outlet, now located in the north end of Fergus by the new Walmart.
Fergus LCBO store manager Carlo Catalli said, “We basically went from a 1,600 square foot store to 5,000 square feet.
“The selection does not lack in this store. We’ve gone from carrying 1,000 brands to 1,600 brands.
“The most impressive thing is the expansion of the vintage section,” he said.
Catalli then described the pride and joy of the new store,.
The old store carried 99 brands in its refrigerated area.
“We’ve now moved up to 378 brands. You could have a different beer for every day of the year.”
Catalli explained LCBO decided Fergus especially could field a larger store, but not two stores. He explained that was the reason why the other location was shut down earlier in the week.
“With this store, we felt that with Walmart here and Target here, we felt we were next in line to get a little bit bigger,” said Catalli.
“We had outgrown the other store as well.”
He believed customers will be better served now because of the increased selection and reduced wait times at the cash register.
“Once 10am rings, we open the doors. I think our customers are going to be overwhelmed when they walk into the store.”
He said they are champing at the bit.
“If I had a dollar for every time I’d been asked when the new store was opening, I think I would be a wealthy man today,” he quipped.
Catalli said a number of the trade representatives and LCBO staff were there for the grand opening.
“It is a day to kick off the new store opening. We are very excited and hoping the people of Fergus are excited.
“We are also very excited to offer a little bigger selection to the people of Fergus.”
LCBO district manager Bob French added, “Without our store staff we couldn’t do this.”
He explained the move was the equivalent of running two stores as the old one was closed down and the new one prepared. “The staff really stepped up. Well done.”
Peter commented, “This is an 8,000 square foot store with a beautiful beer cold room, refrigerated from the outside eight months of the year. Plus there is a wonderful VQA section of Ontario wines.
“Only a few years ago, there was almost no VQA section to speak of (at the Fergus location).
“This is a beautiful store and I hope the people of Fergus enjoy shopping here.”
He pointed to the town’s new Target store and the nearby Walmart store across the parking lot. “It is an exciting time to be in Fergus.”
Peter noted vice chairman of the LCBO Penny Lipsett has a home in nearby Elora.
Instead of cutting ribbons, corks were popped – along with a couple of bottles of Wellington Brewery beer.
The new store offers improved convenience and service to Fergus, replacing an older, smaller store first opened in 1954.
The new store is 8,000 square feet with 4,800 square feet of display space, double the display space of the former store. It has a selection of 1,600 wines, spirits, beers, ready-to-drink cocktails, coolers and beverage gift packs, and more than 100 vintage premium wines and spirits.
The store has four checkouts, including a customer service counter, 55 parking spaces and is wheelchair accessible.
There are 11 full-time and part-time employees, all trained in product knowledge and responsible service.
