Auctions for retail liquor store permits have begun, with one permit in Saskatoon at $161,000 as of this morning (Thurs). The province put up the permits for their publicly owned stores under the gavel at McDougall Auctions, and now private owners are bidding on these permits.  Successful bidders must operate the stores in the communities so for example you couldn’t take a Regina permit and try to operate a store in Saskatoon. Stores must begin to operate within 18 months of the auction closing.

Auctions will continue, with staggered starts and endings, until the last one is sold Feb. 24. There are 35 permits in total that are going through the process. (CKRM)