That's all a license is - they have the identical access to LCBO product we do, and the only difference is the license let's them re-sell LCBO-bought product, however obtained.rejtable wrote:And also, I hadn't really imagined that a licensee could actually walk in and buy right off the shelf...
Some places, like former Sante Fe at Richmond/Peter were shut down for selling 'bootleg' or non-LCBO bought product. Whether done out of greed or as an attempt to fiscally make ends meet, the province looks witheringly upon transactions they had no part of (although I assume it must happen all the time though - there's a huge profit motive to circumvent the prohibitively expensive Ontario system.)
The ostensible reason for LCBO being involved in all sales is public safety, eg from tainted liquor containing glycol or other impurities.