LCBO uncorks new Picton store
Sue Capon | Apr 20, 2016 | Comments 11
In this view from the Prince Edward County products section, LCBO acting president and CEO George Soleas addressed the crowd.
The first sale at Picton’s brand new LCBO was a six pack and two coolers, but the County wines, ciders, spirits and other favourites were quick to start flowing along packed check-out lines.
“We have 32 local wines and over 12-feet of the refrigerated shelf space which is exclusive for wine from the county,” said George Soleas, LCBO acting president and CEO in a speech at the opening. “And as a publicly-owned retailer, whenever we open a new store, we take into consideration how we can contribute to the overall improvement of the community we serve.”
He stressed the company takes care in who they serve – last year refusing to serve 13.5 million people who were underage, or intoxicated.
He said the LCBO’s 654 stores help generate significant revenue for the government – in fiscal 2014-15 earning $5.2 billion in sales, noting the government’s share helps to pay for “important priorities such as healthcare, hospitals, education, infrastructure projects.”
“Last year, with generous contributions from our customers, we raised an incredible $9.5 million for worthy causes including the United Way and MADD Canada. This Picton store proudly raises funds for the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital Foundation.”
Leo Finnegan, foundation chair, thanked the LCBO for its continued support.
“The LCBO has been a significant partner to the hospital foundation collecting spare change from customers. Quarters, Loonies and Toonies add up. In the past years that spare change has added up to $10,300. On behalf of the board of directors, I thank you, and the people of the County for the support.”
Finnegan joined Soleas and Penny Rolinski, the Foundation’s Executive Director, to uncork some bottles of County wines and cider to mark the continued partnership.
A view from the back of the store on opening day, April 20, 2016.
The 8,106-square-foot store, under manager Bobbi-Jo McCamon, has 11 full-time and part-time employees serving customers through five checkouts. Including County favourites, it offers more than 1,900 wines, spirits, beers, cocktails and coolers as well as a selection to up to 250 vintages premium wines and spirits.
LCBO acting president and CEO George Soleas, store manager Bobbie-Jo McCamon and Hospital Foundation chair Leo Finnegan pose for a photograph on opening day with some of the Picton staff.
Picton’s new 8,106-square foot LCBO at Lake Street, carries a selction of 1,900 wines, spirits, beers, cocktails, coolers and vintage products.
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How appropriate to have such a venue to feature many of the County wines that are produced here on County soil. I thought the vintage section was small until one of the staff showed me expansion of so many wonderful wines. The building is beautiful and it’s perfectly sited to make the the parking accessible and provide safety to pedestrians. The specialty food store is an added feature. Great planning and addition to Picton. Can’t wait to see the Royal completed have another major investor in new jobs in PEC. Well Done!
Wow size of that store just shows how big of a bunch of drunks we are lol
I think if I owned vacant land in Sandy Hook I’d be putting in a temporary parking area for RVs/trailers so that the Prov. Park crowd can avoid hauling that 30+ ft. unit downtown to Sobeys, Beer Store, LCBO. Good signage at the roundabout, level solid parking to unhook and an hourly rate should be a nice seasonal income without a big investment. Maybe something the County might even consider.
What a great store! No more travelleing to Belleville or Kingston for a nice wine selection. The product manager was really helpful and promised to get us the Vintages products we order, which rarely happened in the past. We will put it to the test. Very impressed!
I don’t think Scott’s have a lot they own. As for trailers and RV’s it will be tough, but how did they do it prior?
I loved the new store. Great layout and displays of our County products. My only concern is the entrance for the parking lot – it is tight and with cars trying to positions themselves to enter or exit, it becomes a bit of a traffic hold up. I can’t imagine how the big trailers and RV’s will do it. Guess Bill Scott will be charging parking in his lot for them. lol
Critical Analyser…..first off the CEO of the LCBO makes significantly more than 795$ a day….trust me i worked in executive compensation and he is making way above that. But you can check on the Ontario Sunshine list and find his actual salary if you want.
But remember we don’t work 365 days a year and nor is anyone paid 365 days a year. We are paid up to 1900 hours a year on average…..but his or their salaries’ would include a base, bonus, shares, and perq’s. And in the end it’s part of his job to be at events such as this one…..as many executives in large corporations would do.
Beautiful store, and after seeing what the CEO George Soleas makes daily, or yearly off the store I was just wondering what the employees were making. Minimum or about there? Must be a lot of drinkers in Picton to support such a large LCBO or there will be. lol
Picture worth a thousand words! I would have to say the new store is pretty popular. Well done, and thanks for the charity work with our local hospital.
My sister and i do cleaning just wondering where u could apply for cleaning at your store
Must have been a tough workday for CEO George Soleas. He earned over $795 today. ($291 132 annual salary / 365 days = $797.62/ day…and I’m sure he works all 365 days). Wait! let’s take out the weekends…$291 132 annual salary / 261 workdays = $1115.45. Sorry, my bad. He earned over $1000 today!