Fort McMurray liquor stores booming after re-entry

As far as Mario Avgoustis is concerned, everyone in Fort McMurray deserves a cold one.

The co-owner of Gregoire Liquor says evacuees coping with the disaster have been eager to douse some of their stress with a trip to the liquor store.

"It's been unbelievably hectic, actually. It's been a ride," said Avgoustis. "I didn't bring enough staff back with me, apparently. And we don't get an order until next week so we might run out of things to sell."

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As of Thursday night, as thousands of evacuees returned to the wildfire ravaged city, Avgoustis' south-end store was one of only two booze shops which had opened for business.

If others don't follow suit, he says their stocks will run dry by the end of the week.

"We're normally a pretty busy store anyway, but being the only one in town is pretty overwhelming actually. We weren't expecting this influx of people," said Avgoustis.

"I'm surprised that people aren't making it a priority to be honest with you."

Budweiser, Corona, Kokanee beer of any kind has been a big seller.Ice is also in high demand, as hundreds of people turf fridges which have turned rotten in the weeks since the evacuation.

We've been through quite an ordeal. Everybody deserves a drink.-MarioAvgoustis

"Everyone wants to get home and have a cold one," saidAvgoustis, who lost his Beacon Hill home to the fire, and has beenstayingin a hotel room and living "inlimbo"ever since.

"We're happy toaccommodate them, it brings a little bit of normalcy back into the community. We've been through quite an ordeal. Everybody deserves a drink."

Josh Drummey agrees.

The Timberlea resident and his wife were among an evening rush of people who crowded the store.

It was their first stop as they returned to the city. They wanted a case of beer and a bottleof wine in hand before they caught their first glimpse inside their home.

"We stopped here because we heard this was the only one open," said Drummey as he made his way from the till, with a 12 pack of canscold from the fridge.

"From what I know, our house is still standing.We're hoping for the best,but we figured we would want something to relax with.

"At least we'll have something to drink besides boiled water."