Here's what you need to know about the sale of booze in Ottawa corner stores, gas stations starting Thursday

Alcohol sales in convenience stores begin today Here to discuss what this all means is Dave Bryans, he's the President of Convenience Store Consulting.

You can now buy beer, wine, cider and ready-to-drink cocktails at your neighbourhood convenience store or when you stop to fill up the gas tank in Ottawa.

In what the Ontario government calls the "largest expansion of consumer choice and convenience since the end of prohibition," the province is expanding alcohol sales to 8,500 stores this year including convenience stores, gas stations and all grocery and big-box stores.

"Choice and convenience now at a store near you," Premier Doug Ford said in a social media video.

"We're levelling the playing field and giving small businesses the opportunity to grow and create good local jobs. Most importantly, we're giving you more choice and convenience."

Starting Thursday, more than 180 gas stations and convenience stores will begin serving alcoholic beverages in Ottawa.

"It's exciting times for everyone. Today starts a new retail era for both consumers and small businesses where they can now choose where they want to shop for alcohol anywhere in Ontario," Dave Bryans, president of the Convenience Store Consulting, told CTV Morning Live.

Bryans says there will be a "real learning curve" for retailers to understand what is permitted to be sold and what consumers want.

CTVNewsOttawa.ca looks at what you need to know about the sale of beer, wine and ready-to-drink cocktails in Ottawa gas stations and convenience stores.

Where can you buy alcohol?

More than 4,100 gas stations and convenience stores across Ontario have received licenses to sell alcoholic beverages.

Experts say with so many stores on the list, shoppers might not find what they're looking for right away.

"I'm starting to hear there are some out of stocks in the delivery system as well. So, I mean, for a small supplier to the industry to actually supply products at that magnitude to 4,000 stores sure eats up a lot of warehouse inventory if you should have it all, or production," said Dave Bryans, former president of the Ontario Convenience Stores Association.

From Carp to Orléans, there are 188 locations in Ottawa that can sell alcohol starting on Sept. 5.

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario says most of the licenses issued to date are locations that "already hold a lottery retailer, liquor sales or grocery store license."

Hours for sale

Starting Thursday, Sept. 5, retail stores licensed to sell alcohol will be permitted to sell between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m., seven days a week.

The AGCO says stores permitted to open on holidays are allowed to sell alcohol between 7 a.m. and 11 p.m.

“The AGCO may place conditions on some licences that further limit the hours during which alcohol may be sold,” the AGCO says on its website.

“Selling alcohol outside approved hours could result in a penalty up to $50,000 or the suspension or revocation of your licence.”

What can I buy at convenience stores, gas stations?

The Ontario government says eligible convenience stores will be allowed to sell beer, cider, wine and ready-to-drink alcoholic beverages, such as coolers, hard seltzer and other premixed cocktails.

Rules for selling alcohol in gas stations, convenience stores

The AGCO says staff involved in the sale, delivery and taking orders for liquor sales must be 18 years of age or order. Staff must complete the AGCO Board-approved training programs before they are allowed to sell alcohol.

The government agency says all stores must "sell responsibly."

"Selling responsibly means never selling alcohol to minors or intoxicated customers," the AGCO says.

Inspectors may visit stores at any time to confirm they are following the laws, according to the AGCO.

Here is the list of the new locations in Ottawa where you can buy alcohol starting Sept. 5:

Convenience Stores

Gas stations

Alcohol in grocery stores and big-box grocery stores

The Ontario government says starting Oct. 31, all licensed grocery and big-box grocery stores, including newly licensed big box stores, will be able to sell the following:

The newly licensed grocery stores permitted to start alcohol on Oct. 31 includes Costco locations in Kanata, Gloucester and Nepean.

With files from CP24's Codi Wilson and CTV News Ottawa's Katie Griffin and Dave Charbonneau