Pizza and a pint? North Edmonton 7-Eleven now sells beer, wine

There’s something new on the shelves at a 7-Eleven in North Edmonton: booze.

Customers of the 7-Eleven on 127 Street can now pick up a six-pack of beer or even a bottle of wine.

It’s part of a pilot project for the American convenience store chain. The location is selling alcohol between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. It is the first 7-Eleven in Canada licensed to sell booze.

But this is not Alberta joining other provinces in changing liquor laws to allow the sale of alcohol at convenience stores.

That specific 7-Eleven recently renovated to have a dining room, which entitles them to a liquor license as a restaurant would. The location has a food menu with items like chicken sandwiches, pizzas, hot dogs, taquitos, nachos and wraps.

“We test a variety of programs in our stores that promote an excellent experience for our customers,” said 7-Eleven Canada in a statement. “We have received positive feedback from customers about the expanded food and beverage assortments and look forward to continuing to meet customers’ expectations.

“We’re excited by the opportunity to pilot it in our Edmonton location.”

Credit: CITYNEWS/Carly Robinson

It falls under Alberta’s “red-tape reduction” of allowing people to order booze with takeout or delivery. The change was made by Jason Kenney’s UCP government early in the COVID-19 pandemic to help hurting restaurants.

Customers could also have their drink in 7-Eleven’s dining room alongside their meal, if they prefer.

CityNews spoke to some Edmontonians who expressed confusion at classifying 7-Eleven as a restaurant. Others welcomed the move.

“You can do it down in the States, so why not here?” said one.

Added another: “Sounds like a good time for me, because I’m 21. But I’m sure some people will be upset.”

One person wondered why the same red tape isn’t cut for traditional liquor stores – if pizza and beer are sold at a convenience store, why can’t customers buy fine cheese with wine at a liquor store.

The person spoke to CityNews on condition of anonymity for fear of upsetting Alberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis (AGLC), which holds their store’s licensing rights. They say they’ve been advocating for years to expand what liquor stores can sell.

Inside the 7-Eleven in North Edmonton that now sells alcohol as part of its newly renovated dining room. (Credit: CITYNEWS/Carly Robinson)

A spokesperson for the AGLC says they currently have no plans to update liquor policy for food service.

“Class A Minors Allowed licences require that all staff must meet mandatory ProServe liquor staff training certification requirements and be available to prepare food, serve food/liquor and supervise patrons during all hours of liquor service,” said the AGLC.

“There have been no policy changes that specifically allow convenience stores to apply for a liquor license. The requirements for a Class A have remained unchanged, however 7-11 has changed their business to meet the requirements of the licence.

“As part of the application process, a public notice was posted on AGLC.ca to consider any objections from the public. No formal objections were received for this licence.”

The AGLC could not confirm if other convenience stores in the city have made similar changes as the North Edmonton 7-Eleven because they don’t track the type of business, only the license type.

A liquor store employee warned that selling booze at a 7-Eleven could pose safety risks for the store’s customers.

“You’re going to see some stuff, theft at liquor stores is a real problem,” said Mercedes Rubenok. “Honestly, take your safety seriously especially with being already at a 7-Eleven.”