Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Winkler soon to get its first liquor shop

By: Bill Redekop

Posted: 01/24/2013 1:00 AM | Comments: 0

"DRY" Manitoba communities are dying out, with Winkler the latest one to go "wet."

The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission is expected to announce today it's opening a liquor store in Winkler, 102 kilometres southwest of Winnipeg.

"Let's face it: Winkler is a destination for shopping" in the Pembina Valley, with its Walmart and other big-box stores, said Winkler Mayor Martin Harder. "So it all makes sense."

Previously, people in Winkler would drive 10 kilometres down the road to Morden to buy liquor. Winkler already has a hotel that sells beer.

However, some residents complained to the MLCC about not having an outlet in the community. The MLCC forwarded the complaints to Winkler city council and expressed a desire to put a liquor store in the community. "We gave them a letter saying we wouldn't make it into an issue," said Harder.

Winkler does not need a referendum to open a liquor store.

It's another community with a Mennonite history to open its first liquor store in recent years. The first liquor store in Steinbach opened in 2009.

"We have at least six or seven licensed establishments in Winkler," including the Valley Bowling Alley, Harder said.

He said a liquor store is just part of being a growing community. Winkler now has over 11,000 residents and is growing at a rate of five per cent per year.

Harder said the liquor outlet would be in a new strip mall being built across from the Superstore on Highway 32.

Kenton Doerksen, Winkler Chamber of Commerce president, said the store "is a vote of confidence in the community."

"It will definitely keep local traffic from heading down the road. It's not a surprise that a lot of people from Winkler go to Plum Coulee or Morden to buy alcohol," Doerksen said.

bill.redekop@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition January 24, 2013 A9

Fact Check

Have you found an error, or know of something we’ve missed in one of our stories? Please use the form below and let us know.

* Required

In which story did you find the error? *
Please post the headline of the story or the title of the video with the error.
What was the error? *
Please post exactly what was wrong with the story.
What should we have written?
Please indicate your source for the correct information.
Who else should we interview to improve this story?
Please include any contact information you may have.
Can we contact you in the future for advice on stories about this topic?
Yes

No
First Name: *
Last Name: *
E–mail Address: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Phone: *
This will only be used to contact you if we have a question about your submission, it will not be used to identify you or be published.
Colour:
Are you blue? If you can see this, leave it blank and get some CSS support.
Enter the words that you see: * This is to prevent our forms from being filled out automatically.
You have failed to correctly identify the words in the box above. Please try again.

More Local

Undock

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

Have Your Say

New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010.