The Liquor Mart pop-up opened on Thursday near the new Costco on Portage Avenue just west of the Perimeter Highway. (MBLL / HANDOUT)
While most of the fanfare on Thursday in west Winnipeg was for the new Costco location, a nearby pop-up Liquor Mart was also drawing attention.
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries has set up a temporary structure on land adjacent to the bulk retailer in the same Westport development on Portage Avenue.
“The community of Headingley has grown and is still growing and likely has sufficient demand to warrant a new, full-size Liquor Mart, offering a complete range of products,” said Gerry Sul, president and CEO of MBLL.
“A location for a permanent Liquor Mart is not confirmed, but we will continue to look for suitable retail space in the community.”
The pop-up uses a service window model where customers place their orders from available products listed on a large digital menu. Liquor Mart employees fulfill the orders and complete the sales at the counter.
While the pop-up doesn’t include a secured entrance like other city Liquor Marts, there is on-site security and video surveillance in effect.
The pop-up is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is located at Portage Avenue and Festival Drive just west of the Perimeter Highway.
The Liquor Mart pop-up in west Winnipeg. (MBLL / HANDOUT)
New Costco replaces St. James location
Costco’s new west Winnipeg location at 4077 Portage Avenue. (HANDOUT)
The new Costco in the growing mixed-use Westport development replaces the existing St. James location, which shuttered its doors on Wednesday. The retailer will spend the next few months renovating that space and converting it into a Costco Business Centre, aimed at a different segment of its customer base focused on business-related goods and a bigger selection of bulk items catered to restaurants. An opening date hasn’t been announced, but it’s expected to reopen in the early part of 2026.
Two other Costcos operate at 2365 McGillivray Boulevard and 1499 Regent Avenue. A fourth Costco is planned for West St. Paul and has already cleared regulatory development hurdles at the municipal council level.
The Westport store, at 4077 Portage Avenue, boasts 15.4 acres, including more than 1,000 parking spots. A gas bar with 24 fuel pumps opened to the public in mid-October.
The new Costco also includes the first sushi bar, a tire centre, food court, hearing aid department, and pharmacy. Propane tank refills aren’t available, unlike at some of the company’s other locations.
