Paradise convenience store loses liquor contract after 22 years

After more than two decades in business, a small store in Paradise is losing its Liquor Express contract. The owner — and his customers aren't happy.

Hamilton's Grocery in Paradise sells groceries, plumbing supplies, liquor and wine. 

Owner Leo Hamilton was told in early December that a new grocery and liquor store is being built in the town — so he'll soon have to hand over his contract. 

"I am perturbed at the fact that they would do what they did," Hamilton told CBC News. 

I'm going to have to let seven to eight people go. And some of them have been here for years.- Leo Hamilton, Hamilton's Grocery in Paradise 

Hamilton said his business will be hurt tremendously by the loss of licence.

"It is a big draw. I'd say probably 50 per cent of our business comes through the liquor," Hamilton said. 

"And it's not just the liquor that we're losing, it's the imported beer which we have a good clientele for." 

In addition to the financial hit, Hamilton said he's also going to have to reduce the size of his staff.

"We have 15 people employed here right now. I'm not going to need 15 people — I'm going to have to let seven to eight people go. And some of them have been here for years," said Hamilton.

Steve Winter, CEO of the Newfoundland and Labrador Liquor Corporation said that the decision isn't a personal one — it's purely business.

"We're opening a store in Paradise and in order to make that store feasible, we need to close the Liquor Express stores that are already in business in Paradise," Winter said.

"Similar to what we did in Long Pond a few years ago." 

The NLC is also pulling the Liquor Express contract for the Irving in Paradise.

"This is not something we want to do," said Winter.

"But our responsibility is to provide services to the broad base of the population. By putting our corporate store in that environment, this will be a must greater service to the residents of Paradise."