Some rural stores run out of alcohol

Since the onset of the LCBO strike, outlet owners have been "cleaned out" of alcoholic products and wait with empty shelves for the next shipment.
But they are not coming.
Pauline Kelly, manager of Hoppers Variety in Nolalu, said they had a "great volume" of people come into the store since last Friday but things have slowed down because they "hardly have any liquor left in the store."
Kelly says she's worried because she was told they are not receiving their LCBO shipments. On Tuesday morning, the delivery truck arrived at a neighbouring store with only beer on board.
"We were told that everything's going to be fine and to continue ordering," Kelly said. "It's going to affect sales big time if we have no stock and no product."
Hoppers Variety is a popular stop for many campers in the area.
Lulu's Variety in Roslyn is experiencing the same thing.
"We were busy for two days, maybe three, and now I have no product," said store owner Linda Giba Gabriele. "I'm not getting a shipment today. We tried ordering over and over again and our sheets state everything's out of stock."
Gabriele is frustrated with the process because she says you don't get to speak to anybody.
"It's all email," she said.
She added that any orders coming in are small and consist of cooler-style drinks, but she's not worried.
"I have a whole store to run here and the liquor is just part of this," she said "It's very convenient for the people out here and they love it. That's why I keep doing it because of the convenience for my customers. It's not about the money."
Gerald Muller, who owns AJ's Trading Post with his wife Cheryl in Slate River, said they watched their shelves "get cleaned off" on the weekend.
"The difficulties are certainly there with placing the orders and receiving products. Right now I don't know when I'm going to get restocked," Muller said.
"It's going to impact everything. When we do get products in, we're going to get swamped and it's going to be like a feast and famine . . . then it'll be drought for a while until we get product and that's what I see happening."
Muller said he worries about keeping his customers happy and the impact of sales.
"Above all, I think they should be concerned about people shopping in the U.S. because that's what they're going to do."
Lori Boomer, co-owner of Ryden's Border Store and Duty-Free America franchise, confirmed an "uptick" in Canadians heading across the border for duty-free spirits.
"We heard inklings about the strike so we (pre-ordered products) and we're fine. We have a lot," she said. "If they're running out (in Ontario) then we might even get a little busier."
Costs vary depending on the type of alcohol brought into Canada from the U.S. with taxes and duties.
Boomer said their staff are well versed in suggesting the most affordable products, some of which are duty-free and others where the duties are not so high.

Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal