Whiskey business: Wardroom prepares for U.S. liquor removal 

HMCS King’s Wardroom, a student-run bar at the University of King’s College, is preparing for the removal of American liquor from the Nova Scotia Liquor Corporation (NSLC) in response to possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian imports under newly elected American President Donald Trump.  

The announcement to stop the sale of American liquor in NSLC stores was made by Premier Tim Houston on Feb. 1.  

The NSLC has confirmed plans to remove American products from shelves and offer refunds for previously purchased items.  

The Wardroom, which sits below the King’s main building, already struggles with low foot traffic, making any changes to its offerings a potential challenge.  

Bartender James McKay said he was initially unsure how the removal of American liquor would affect operations, especially when it came to existing stock.  

“At first, I was worried we might have to throw out everything we already had,” he said.

“But now that things are clearer, we’re just focused on finding replacements. The biggest hit would probably have to be getting cheap whiskey that isn’t just rye, because a lot of that is going to be American, like Tennessee whiskey, bourbon, something like that.”  

McKay says the situation has now become an opportunity to introduce new cocktails tailored to King’s students, or even drinks that satirize the tariffs.   

“I’m going to be looking forward to maybe like a layered drink, some red, white and blue to mock the American flag or something like that,” McKay said. “We’ll figure something out.”  

Economist and Dalhousie professor Lars Osberg noted that uncertainty surrounding trade policies under U.S. President Donald Trump has led to instability in global markets. 

“They were on, then they were off, and they were on again, and now they’re delayed,” Osberg said. “When you’ve got an environment like that, uncertainty is just really running rampant.” 

Osberg emphasized that Canada’s trade-dependent economy makes it particularly vulnerable to shifting U.S. policies.  

According to NSLC media director Allison Himmelman, the corporation anticipates a shift towards local products.  

“We have over 500 individual United States articles listed,” Himmelman said. “That’s just to give you kind of a sense as to the number of products that would be impacted if they were to be pulled off the shelves, that would have meant a lot of empty shelf space.” 

Himmelman said in a phone interview with the The Signal that customer feedback has been largely positive, with many supporting the move towards local alternatives. 

“The sentiment in the stores from customers was that they were happy to see this happening and that they were looking to choose local products in place of those American ones,” Himmelman said.  

As the trade dispute unfolds, businesses like the Wardroom are preparing to adjust to a new reality; one without American liquor.  

McKay sees the transition as an opportunity to draw more attention to the bar.  

“It’s a really good community space that I feel is a bit underappreciated by the current King’s community and students.”