The Beer Store has been gradually shuttering locations across Ontario, scaling back its retail operations under the province's amended alcohol sale rules that opened up the market to thousands of new competitors last year. Chamber of Commerce members even snapped a photo of the Bala store's last sale ever at 4 p.m., showing local Chris Davis high-fiving the cashier on duty. But there's a level of acceptance," Fountain continues in describing the Beer Store's farewell party, which included handmade beer wreaths, vintage cars, costumes for the occasion (a grim reaper, for example), and many honks paying homage from those driving by. She also says that a huge part of the gathering was the fact that, over the years, the business has employed so many members of the town. So this event was kind of Bala doing what Bala does best, 'hey, let's all get together and say bye to the Beer Store!'"