Kitsilano Liquor Barn?
The Kitsilano Wine Cellar on West 4th has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the foremost wine retailers in Vancouver. With over 1,000 labels to choose from, Kits Wine Cellar has been the place to go when you need a thoughtful suggestion for a dinner party or gift.
What most people don’t realize is that the Kitsilano Wine Cellar is part of publically-traded Income Fund called the Liquor Stores Income Fund (LIQ.UN on the TSX – currently $18.25 per unit). The Fund owns 201 liquor stores across British Columbia and Alberta and the majority of them fly the Liquor Barn or Liquor Depot flag.
Established back in August of 2003, the Kitsilano Wine Cellar was once a privately owned liquor store but it was acquired a couple years back by the Income Fund. Kudos to the Fund for continuing to operate the store like a local, independant wine boutique. I can’t imagine Kitsilano’s wine lovers flocking to their local Liquor Barn.
publicly traded or not, don’t forget their outstanding service. it’ll pop your cork!
It’s too bad they can’t spell “Kitsalano” on their locations map: http://www.liquorstoresgp.ca/locations.cfm
I’d debate the outstanding service… I know many people who have left the store feeling that they were looked down upon because they didn’t know much about wine. If you’re OK shopping at corporate run establishments than that’s OK. The money flows to the investors rather than to the community.
[...] our resident forensic journalist Rob detailed back last summer, the Liquor Store Income Fund (of Liquor Barn and Liquor Depot fame) owns and runs the Kitsilano [...]