New Brunswick residents who have been missing the flavors of Kentucky bourbon or the elegance of California wine can now rejoice as these American products are making a comeback on liquor store shelves, albeit at a single location. New Brunswick Liquor recently commenced the sale of its surplus stock of American goods at its Salisbury warehouse, revealed CEO Lori Stickles.
The decision to sell off these American products was driven by a desire to maximize value for the people of New Brunswick and recoup investments. Stickles emphasized the importance of reducing waste and avoiding product deterioration due to aging. The initiative aims to recover the $3.4 million worth of American inventory that had been withdrawn from Alcool N.B. Liquor stores in response to a trade dispute with the U.S. earlier in the year.
Although U.S. products were still available at agency stores and licensed establishments, demand has been lackluster, leading to a significant portion of the inventory remaining unsold. Premier Susan Holt had previously announced the removal of American alcohol from N.B. Liquor shelves as a response to trade tensions initiated by President Trump.
While the opposition had urged N.B. Liquor to start selling its existing American stock since May, the shift towards offloading these products has now materialized. Minister Luke Randall highlighted the increased space for Canadian producers following the removal of American products, indicating a strategic shift in the liquor market.
MLA Tammy Scott-Wallace, representing the Salisbury depot store region, expressed support for the move to sell off the American products to recover expenses incurred. The depot store was identified as the ideal venue to liquidate the remaining stock, ensuring that the investment in these American goods does not go to waste after months of storage.