/R E P E A T -- LCBO extends hours for holiday shoppers/

TORONTO , Dec. 7 /CNW/ - For the convenience of holiday shoppers, select LCBO stores will extend their evening hours throughout December. During this period, many liquor stores that normally close at 6 p.m. will stay open as late as 10 p.m. , while stores that normally stay open late will maintain their regular hours.

Some LCBO stores are also extending their hours on Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

LCBO stores will open at regular hours and close at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve , Thursday, December 24 , and on New Year's Eve , Thursday, December 31 . All LCBO stores and LCBO head office in Toronto will be closed on Christmas Day , Friday, December 25 , Boxing Day, Saturday, December 26 and New Year's Day, Friday, January 1, 2010 .

LCBO agency stores must close on Christmas Day and New Year's Day; however, some may choose to open on Boxing Day.

Customers should check with their local LCBO stores for individual store hours. They can also contact the toll-free, bilingual LCBO Infoline at 1-800-ONT-LCBO (668-5226) or [email protected]. In Toronto , call 416 365-5900. The Infoline will be open December 24 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The TTY number for the deaf and hard of hearing is 416 864-6898 or 1-800-361-3291.

The LCBO reminds everyone to drink responsibly this holiday season and to never drink and drive. LCBO's new social responsibility ad campaign, Deflate the Elephant, encourages consumers to speak up to prevent a friend, colleague or family member from drinking and driving. For more information, visit www.deflatetheelephant.com.

Don't forget to bring a reusable bag when you shop at the LCBO and, after your holiday entertaining, please take your empty beverage alcohol containers (large and small glass bottles, PET plastic, Tetra Paks, bag-in-box and cans) to The Beer Store for a full deposit refund.

For further information: MEDIA CONTACTS: Chris Layton, Media Relations Coordinator, Tel. [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]; Steve Erwin, Senior Communications Consultant, Tel. [phone], Cell: [phone], E-mail: [email protected]