The Beer Store Loves Cyclists

In the ongoing saga of the bike rack for the Church street Beer Store, I am happy to report that we now have a bike rack at this location. I was there today and it is right out front with spots for about ten bikes. Way to go Beer Store!

Does The Beer Store Only Pretend To Like Cyclists?

Way back at the beginning of summer on May 11, 2009 I posted a piece about the Church street beer store and its lack of a bike rack. I was at The Beer Store the other day and noticed that the bike rack is still not there although it does have 17 parking spots for cars.

I was also recently on Bathurst St. and I noticed the store there does have a bike rack.

As I am now somewhat suspicious about the elusive bike rack, I will be writing once again to my Beer Store contact, District Manager Mario Di Paolo. Of course I will post any reply here.

The Beer Store LOVES Cyclists

This is a follow up to the post "Does The Beer Store Hate Cyclists?". I received this email today from Mario DiPaolo of The Beer Store and am thrilled that The Beer Store has proven itself in my book to be a truly 'Green' business. I will continue to buy my beer there, and will post a picture of the new bike rack when it arrives. Here is the letter from Mr. DiPaolo:

Dear Mr Daye,

Thanks for your feedback regarding the need for a bike rack
for the Beer Store on Church St. I think it is a great idea. I will follow up and
order a bike rack asap and have it installed at the store. Thanks also for your
kind words on our environmental leadership. Once again, thanks for taking the
time to write to us and look for the bike rack soon at the store.

Regards, Mario
Di PaoloDistrict Manager, The Beer StoreRetail Operations-GTA East

Does The Beer Store Hate Cyclists?

I went to The Beer Store today on Church Street in Toronto. They have a HUGE parking lot in a downtown urban location where many customers walk or bike. I couldn't believe it! What I couldn't believe even more was the lack of a bike rack!!!!?

This is an organization that promotes their 98% packaging recycling rate, and it's wonderful, but lets see how 'GREEN' they really want to be.

Please contact The Beer Store and tell them you want them to install a bike rack and promote cycling in Toronto!

The following is the letter I sent to The Beer Store today:

I was at your store on Church Street today, just north of Wellesley St. in Toronto. Why is there no bike rack at a store serving an inner-city urban market? I notice you have about half an acre of parking for cars. Including myself there were four other customers at the store with bikes today. They were all chained to fence posts, etc. I will be talking about this on my blog as well if you are interested: http://wwwthedaye.blogspot.com/

I would think that a consortium which promotes their wonderful 98% packaging recycling rate would want to continue in this responsible direction and encourage your customers to arrive at your stores by means other than automobile. I hope The Beer Store will become a force in the movement to promote safe cycling, develop bike lanes, educate cyclists, drivers and pedestrians on safe cycling and help to develop cycling infrastructure in the city of Toronto.

UPDATE: The Beer Store is going to install a bike rack!