Real Canadian Liquorstore adds three locations in Sask.

Loblaw now has four Real Canadian Liquorstores in Saskatchewan, wasting little time getting into alcohol sales after government controls were changed last month.

The first store-in-store concept opened in the Yorkton Real Canadian Superstore in early October, and three more opened last week in Regina, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw.

"Saskatchewan customers come to our stores looking for outstanding flavours and meal inspiration," said David Harrington, vice-president, Loblaw Companies Limited, in a release. "We've had an incredible response to the increased convenience and choice the Real Canadian Liquorstore offers since it opened in Yorkton. We are excited to bring the new store model to more customers in the province."

The new Real Canadian Liquorstores are the result of a three-year long process by the Saskatchewan government to expand retail sales in the province. “Saskatchewan consumers will enjoy more choice, more convenience and more competitive pricing,” Saskatchewan Liquor and Gaming Authority Minister Don McMorris said at the time.

In 2016, more than 50 new retail licenses were issued but the government also instituted a moratorium on selling those permits, so no new retailers have been able to enter the game since then.

That moratorium was lifted on Oct. 08. The Yorkton store opened Oct. 09.