A message to our valued customers

Hello everyone,

The impact of COVID-19 has been felt by all of us – from businesses adapting to new ways of operating, to individuals who have been faced with added challenges and anxiety in their lives, and all of our communities as we work together to flatten the curve.

Since the threat of COVID-19 on our communities became known, the Liquor Distribution Branch (LDB) has been rapidly adjusting the way in which it operates to accommodate changes necessary to ensure the health and safety of the most vulnerable, its employees, customers and communities.

I want to take a moment to express my gratitude for our hardworking employees who are providing an important service, while supporting the provincial government in its quest to protect British Columbians throughout this situation.

Staff at our BC Liquor Stores and BC Cannabis Stores, are working hard to ensure the safety of their customers, their peers and the communities in which they live and work. We have implemented significant changes at our stores as we adhere to recommendations provided by Provincial health officials. I have been humbled in recent weeks as I hear from customers impressed by the ways our staff have adapted to these changes, and have shown leadership as they take steps to ensure the safety of their communities. As our valued customers, I hope you will join me in thanking our teams as they continue to serve you.

Teams in our distribution centres are working hard to ensure wholesale customers receive the best possible service, while facing operational challenges of their own. These staff are playing a vital role in supporting B.C.’s liquor and non-medical cannabis industries as they continue to offer a service to the province.

I also want to take a moment to recognize our industry partners who play an important role in supporting our supply chains. Just as the LDB and its retail lines of business have adapted to support the health and safety of our communities, our industry partners are showing grace and flexibility in aligning to changes.
The word ‘relationships’ is a key part of the LDB’s vision, and encompasses the strong ties that we continue to form and build upon with partners across the supply chain. The relationships we have formed have helped the LDB service thousands of customers for almost 100 years.

As this situation continues to evolve, I hope that our customers will continue to feel safe when visiting our retail stores. I hope that our wholesale customers will continue to feel supported as they implement changes to their business to enable them to continue operating. And I hope that our employees will feel proud of the service they are providing to the province.

With the long weekend upon us, we are faced with the difficult prospect of not being able to gather with our friends and family, as many of us normally would. While we cannot celebrate in the traditional sense, we hope that you are able to enjoy your long weekend safely, and encourage you to connect with your loved ones in other ways. Above all else, we hope that our communities continue to work together to flatten the curve.

Please stay safe this long weekend, stay kind, and look after each other.

Blain Lawson
GM and CEO
BC Liquor Distribution Branch