As The Beer Store continues to struggle in Ontario, yet another location in Toronto is now being eyed for redevelopment. The well-known Beer Store at 609 Roehampton Avenue—just northwest of Bayview and Eglinton—is the latest site facing transformation as part of a growing trend that is reshaping the city’s retail landscape.
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A Pair of 15-Storey Residential Towers to Replace Retail Space
A development proposal by Starbank Developments aims to replace the existing Beer Store, along with an adjacent vacant retail space that once housed Tosto and The Works, as well as the surrounding surface parking lot. In its place, the developer plans to construct two 15-storey residential towers, designed by Turner Fleischer Architects.
This ambitious plan would introduce 209 residential units, with the larger tower housing 150 units and a smaller boutique-style tower featuring 59 residences, including 43 multi-bedroom units. Notably, there are no commercial or retail spaces planned for the site, signaling the complete elimination of The Beer Store’s presence in the area.
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Transit-Centric Living: Reduced Parking, Increased Bike Storage
A striking feature of this proposal is its transit-oriented design, which significantly reduces the reliance on car ownership. Unlike many developments that include expansive underground parking, this project offers only 11 vehicle parking spaces, instead focusing on sustainability by providing 231 bicycle parking spaces.
Residents will benefit from proximity to Leaside Station, part of the long-awaited Eglinton Crosstown LRT, which is expected to be operational by 2025. This transit-friendly approach reflects a broader shift towards walkable and connected communities in Toronto’s evolving urban landscape.
What This Means for Local Residents
For now, residents who rely on this Beer Store location don’t need to panic, as the project is still in its early stages. There is no confirmed construction timeline yet, meaning the store will continue to operate for the foreseeable future. And for those concerned about beer runs, the Metro grocery store next door offers an alternative for alcoholic beverage purchases.
However, the eventual closure of this location contributes to a larger trend of The Beer Store’s decline in Ontario. Since May 2024, 23 Beer Store locations have either closed or are scheduled to close by February 2025. This redevelopment project is not included in those numbers but adds to the growing list of shuttered stores.
The Bigger Picture: Ontario’s Changing Beer Market
The decline of The Beer Store is being driven by Ontario’s expanding beer and wine sales regulations, which now allow grocery and convenience stores to sell alcoholic beverages. As a result, the retailer is seeing declining sales and store closures at an accelerated pace.
Although The Beer Store is contractually required to keep at least 300 locations open until the end of 2025, there are no guarantees beyond that date. This raises questions about the retailer’s long-term viability as more consumers shift to purchasing their beverages from alternative outlets.
A Sign of Toronto’s Urban Evolution
While the loss of another Beer Store location may feel like the end of an era, the redevelopment of this site signals an important step in Toronto’s ongoing urban transformation.
Replacing a low-density, car-centric retail space with transit-friendly residential buildings aligns with the city’s broader goals of intensification and sustainability. As Leaside and surrounding neighborhoods evolve alongside the new Eglinton Crosstown LRT, projects like this are shaping the future of Toronto’s housing landscape.
For now, Toronto residents should keep an eye on this redevelopment and similar projects as the city continues to change, one Beer Store at a time.
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