The owner of Finn’s Seafood Chops and Cocktails on Wharf Street is “sickened” by the province’s decision to mandate liquor rationing in state-owned stores as it reacts to labor action at distribution warehouses. David Cooper said Friday that the same level of vouchers apply to a 12-seat cafe as his 350-seat downtown restaurant. “I can’t understand what they were thinking about me.” He understands the need to impose restrictions to prevent the circulation of products, but the way it was done shows “a complete disregard for business. … It just makes me feel sick. I feel sick for the nightclub owners.” Finn’s is in peak season and the restaurant sector has been hit hard by the pandemic. “We’re trying to make as much money as we can to get us through the winter,” Cooper said. The restaurant has enough inventory to get through next weekend, he said, expecting the situation to get more difficult if it continues. Many restaurants take liquor orders once or twice a week. The province has announced that no more than three of any single product can be purchased per customer per day at BC-owned liquor stores. Beer purchases are excluded. This applies to both a business customer and an individual. Packs of four and six and other products in a similar format are counted as one product. The limits came into effect after the BC Union of General Employees began limited action this week. Picketing has increased around the four liquor distribution warehouses. One is in Victoria. The union is asking for wage increases and cost of living protection. Shellie Gudgeon, who owns Il Terrazzo Ristorante with husband Mike, is in a better position than many, saying, “at this point, we have a lot of inventory.” The restaurant’s 30th anniversary is in November. Gudgeon worries about newer restaurant owners, saying they don’t have the extra cash to carry much of the liquor inventory. Jayme Beaudry, general manager of Zambri’s Restaurant, moved quickly to stock up when the work began. The restaurant, which serves Italian wine, is fine for at least two weeks. He hopes there will be more restaurants. “But if they didn’t get the chance from today, you’re basically out of luck because you can’t get by on three bottles of wine.” Ian Tostenson, CEO of the BC Restaurant and Foodservices Association, said the restrictions “couldn’t come at a worse time for our industry.” It has not yet recovered from the effects of the pandemic. Along with labor shortages facing the hospitality industry, the limits could force some businesses to close temporarily, he said. No one knows how long the warehouse labor action will last, he said. He expects restaurants to switch to local produce, but said there is no limitless supply. Under the new rules, which have no expiration date, restaurants can buy directly from BC wineries, craft distilleries and craft beer stores. “The whole thing is a mess,” Tostenson said. It’s a mess because of the uncertainty for business because the industry can’t handle it financially or with the current labor situation. “The consequences are real.” People in the industry are angry and scared, he said. Jeff Guignard, executive director of the Alliance of Beverage Licenses, predicts some products will already sell out this weekend because of the ticket. His team represents private liquor stores, bars, pubs and cannabis retailers. “Today we’re asking both sides to come back to the table immediately and find an agreement because this now affects BC’s entire $1.5 billion spirits industry, thousands of small businesses and the 200,000 workers we employ,” he told a news conference. . . Private liquor stores do not plan to impose similar limits on purchases, he said. Some retailers have seen limited “panic buying” due to the job action, and rationing may make it worse. Cannabis shops are also affected because their products also come from provincial warehouses behind the queues. Kevin Marr, assistant manager of Pineapple Express on Esquimalt Road, said the regular weekly orders arrive on Wednesdays. “I can definitely see our stock starting to dwindle a bit.” Right now, “there are some very popular products that we’re completely out of,” while others have lower inventory than usual. Pineapple Express has alternative products for customers, he said. No ticket has been imposed on cannabis sales. [email protected]
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