The Administrative Tribunal of Quebec has just given wine importer Charles Landreville authorization to reopen his restaurant, Boires, on Saint-Laurent Boulevard as of today, Monday, November 13.

The Régie des alcools, des courses et jeux du Québec (RACJ) revoked the license of this small Montreal establishment last month. At the heart of the decision, the very definition of the concept of restaurant, Boires being a licensed establishment where customers can eat a charcuterie board accompanied by a glass of wine on site or rather buy a case of wine to take away with an item from the menu as light as a bag of popcorn.

This decision by the RACJ caused a stir, because many “wine shop” style establishments emerged during the pandemic, with the possibility of purchasing bottles of wine as soon as the customer’s basket contains a food item “prepared on site”. “.

In its decision, the RACJ mentioned that this concept calls into question the monopoly of the SAQ. Charles Landreville co-founded the wine import agency Boires around ten years ago and, during the pandemic, this small establishment popular with natural wine lovers.

“It’s good for the survival of my business in this dark time for everyone,” said Charles Landreville, who opened the doors of his establishment as soon as the decision was rendered.

Quebec wine importers are noticing a drop in orders this fall – sales have also declined at the SAQ, for its first quarter of 2023-2024.

Charles Landreville contests the RACJ’s decision. He specifies that the Court judged that he did not represent a threat to public safety and recognized the goodwill of Boires who wanted to comply with the requests of the Régie.

While awaiting the hearing at the Administrative Tribunal of Quebec, it “granted the stay requested by Boires,” specifies Guillaume Laberge, lawyer for the importer and Montreal restaurateur.

The hearing of the challenge should be heard next spring, according to Boires.

https://www.lapresse.ca/affaires/2023-10-23/vers-la-fin-des-cavistes-au-quebec.php