Opportunities open for private liquor stores in Sask.

It’s the first step to another five private liquor stores in the province.

On Monday, the provincial government released the request for proposals for private liquor stores in Yorkton, Kindersley, Melville, Lloydminster, and Moose Jaw. The requests close Aug. 30.

They’re the latest in the 50 RFPs the province will release this summer and fall.

Originally there were supposed to be 52 either new stores or SLGA stores turned to private, but Prince Albert declined an additional store, and the current SLGA liquor store in Melfort will keep operating until its lease expires in 2019.

The RFPs for two stores in Regina, and another 3 in Saskatoon were put up earlier this month. One of the stores in Regina is new, the second will replace the Broad Street liquor store. Similarly, one of the stores in Saskatoon will be new while the other two will replace the Market Mall and 20th Street locations. These requests close Aug. 8.

For those interested in the opportunities, the RFPs are displayed at SaskTenders.ca. The winners of the proposals will also have to qualify for a provincial liquor license.

On July 25 the following RFPs will be released, to close on Sept. 7: