A new documentary is pouring suds on the province’s share of revenue from liquor sales at beverage rooms across Manitoba.
“Closing Time: The Vanishing Prairie Beverage Room” focuses on the struggles many rural hotel beverage rooms face while looking back at the history of these establishments over the last 100 years.
Hotel vendors keep just 17 percent of revenue from their beer sales. Retailers, on the other hand, can keep 30 percent.
Rural vendors are facing a cash crunch and many have been forced to close as revenue falls and consumers’ drinking trends change.
Winnipeg-based Lucky 9 Productions has produced the documentary for MTS Stories From Home. The story explores the relevance of these establishments in rural communities and the sacrifices being made to help keep them alive.
A public screening is planned for Monday, November 21 at The Common craft beer and wine kiosk at The Forks. Showtime is 7:30 p.m.
