2025 BCGEU Strike Giving BC Cannabis Retailers Flashbacks UPDATE: Strike ends. Tentative Agreement Reached
October 20, 2025
There are many steps to starting a liquor store, not the least of which is understanding the timing of getting each piece of the puzzle in place. The liquor license consultants at Thrive Advisors live and breathe that process every day.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss the many moving parts of retail liquor licensing and why working with Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors will save you time and money while minimizing the time it takes to open your new liquor business.
Steps to Liquor Store Licensing
While there are differences in each state and province liquor licensing process, the broad steps are usually the same.
Research liquor store licensing
The research phase is all about getting an understanding of how liquor store licensing and retail liquor works in your area. Is the government currently accepting liquor store license applications? What are the pros and cons of applying for a license versus buying a turnkey liquor store? Are there any liquor stores for sale in your state or province? Are there liquor license consultants in your area?
Understand liquor licensing requirement
Visit your state or provincial liquor licensing webpages and read information about liquor store licensing. Download the license requirements PDF and/or application. These documents tell you everything that is required of licensees. If you don’t understand something or need clarification, contact the licensing authority for clarification; or easier yet, consult with Thrive for answers and action.
Apply for a liquor license or buy a liquor license
When applying for a liquor license, you’ll need to submit:
- A complete application
- Floor plans showing layout
- Site plan (usually renderings)
- Business documents (i.e. corporate structure, owner information)
- Recommendation or support from local government (municipal or Indigenous)
When buying a liquor store (and its license) you’ll need to:
- Review the store’s financials, lease, and inventory
- Review the store’s liquor licence status for compliance infractions, fines, temporary closures
- Negotiate the purchase price of the store and its assets including inventory
- Attach conditions to the sale (i.e. subject to financial approval or license transfer approval)
- Submit a liquor license transfer application, including supporting documents such as a Certificate of Title (if you own the property) or a signed offer to lease
- When the license is approved, finalize payment and ownership documents
Further reading: “Opening a Liquor Store in BC? Here’s What You’ll Need”.
Why Liquor Store Start-ups Work with Thrive Liquor & Cannabis Advisors
Liquor store owners work with Thrive because they don’t have the time or experience. For decades, we’ve worked with all types of liquor licenses and have helped start-ups in many states and provinces. Our knowledge saves you time and minimizes costly delays in license application approval. In most cases, our relationship with a client continues long after they’ve opened for business. We provide compliance audits, liquor license updates, operational guidance and employee acquisition services.
Get Help Starting a Retail Liquor Business
Starting a liquor store doesn’t have to be difficult, especially if you have the guidance and support of the expert liquor license consultants at Thrive. We help liquor stores throughout the lifespan of their business. From liquor license applications to retail strategy, we’ll help you succeed!
