That's how one local variety store owner views the benefits of being able to sell beer and wine along with chips and cigarettes. In fact, a majority of Ontarians, according to a latest opinion poll, support the sale of alcohol at their corner stores.
The Angus Reid public opinion study, carried out on behalf of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, shows that 60-per-cent of Ontarians support expanding the province's alcohol retailing system to allow beer and wine to be sold by more types of retailers.
However, support was not uniform across the province. Southwestern Ontario has only 51-per-cent support, while Eastern Ontario was at 71 per cent. Several other Canadian provinces, including Quebec and Newfoundland already offer the sale of alcohol in convenience stores.
The study of 803 potential voters ages 19 and over showed that two-thirds of Ontarians who had shopped at the LCBO or The Beer Store in the 30 days prior to the survey support private retailers, like convenience stores, selling beer and wine.
A poll of more than a half dozen convenience stores conducted by The Chatham Daily News' Wednesday revealed that all but one was in favour of adding beer and wine to their inventory. Joannie Wonnacott of Mighty Jim's Variety on Grand Avenue East in Chatham is all in favour.
"I see it as plus, plus, plus,'' she said. "It would be nice to have the extra income.''Wonnacott said she views the responsibility the same as merchandising tobacco products. "And we don't stay open late and so I don't see that as a problem,'' she said.
Barbie Ham of Ken's Variety on Vanier Drive in Chatham has been working with the Korean Association in London for the past two years trying to persuade the province to change the laws that would allow stores such as hers to sell beer and wine.
"It would sure help our bottom line,'' she said. Lee Hoon, owner of King's Variety on King Street East, said he would appreciate the opportunity to sell beer and wine. "Of course I'm in favour,'' he said. "Why not?''
Mahesh Valfadia, owner of Victoria Variety on Victoria Avenue, said he doesn't forsee any major problems with carrying wine and beer. "We have rules to follow when it comes to selling tobacco products in our stores. It would simply be a case of following the rules when it comes to the sale of alcohol.''However, Hassan Elkhodr, owner of Speed-D-Mart on Bloomfield Road, disagrees with his colleagues.
"We have enough problems with cigarettes and selling beer and wine would be like playing with fire,'' he said. "It would require a great deal more care and supervision. I'm against it.''
Dave Bryans, president of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association, said Ontarians are simply asking for more convenience – like being able to pick up some beer for their barbecue on Canada Day.
"It's time Ontario's alcohol retailing system was expanded beyond the LCBO and The Beer Store and we're asking everyone over 19 to visit www.freeourbeer.ca to register their support,'' he said, in a media release.