Closure of Vernon liquor stores leaves downtown without public outlet

http://www.bcgeu.ca/3641
News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2006
The decision by the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) to close two downtown public liquor stores in Vernon as part of a plan to open two new Signature stores means that seniors and downtown residents will have to travel further to shop at a public liquor outlet, the B.C. Government and Service Employees’ Union said today.“Downtown business districts across B.C. are having difficulty competing with suburban malls for customers,” said BCGEU president George Heyman. “Public liquor stores help provide an anchor for local businesses by attracting customers from a wide area. The decision to close these downtown stores will only hurt efforts to revitalize Vernon’s downtown core.”In Vernon, the LDB is planning to close the downtown store (3101 Hwy #6), and the Vernon Square Store (4400 32nd St.), and open a new Signature store at the Village Green Mall on 48th Avenue.