When a security guard was recently stabbed at a West Broadway beer vendor (the East Gate Inn, formerly the Sherbrook Inn), media reports heavily sanitized the location, describing it vaguely as a “licensed establishment in the 600 block of Westminster.”

But as our peers over at the Garrick Hotel Bar recently pointed out, avoiding the specific location ignores a critical conversation about retail safety and business choices.

The Garrick shared that they operate what they call an “invisible vendor” at 287 Garry St. They don’t have loud signage, and crucially, they refuse to stock high-risk, high-alcohol products like 10% high-dry beers or cheap 2L ciders, the exact products known to fuel public intoxication and volatile interactions. The result? A clean, safe, and quiet block where staff, patrons, and neighbors feel secure.

This is a textbook example of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and corporate social responsibility. Security isn’t just about locks and guards, it’s about making conscious business decisions that prioritize community safety over a quick buck from high-risk inventory.

We commend businesses like the Garrick for taking an active, responsible role in keeping our downtown commercial corridors safe.

Original post from the Garrick Hotel Bar Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1F5hAyhtGU

“Security guard stabbed at Winnipeg beer vendor…

Media is reporting is as anything BUT where it actually happened:

“West Broadway establishment”, “licensed beer vendor on Westminster Avenue”, “600 block of Westminster Avenue”.

If you ask security guard where did you get stubbed or what vendor were you working at when you got stabbed will he reply with around 600 block of whatever?

The old Sherbrook Inn which is now the East Gate something.

About the vendor: Garrick Hotel has one. Did you know? May be you did, but most don’t unless they come in and ask. Also depends what they ask for. We have no signage that we offer off-sales and we do not carry products that generate issues: Stone Cold (2L), Hectors ice tea (2L), Rockstar, Blue Dry (10% all “beer”).

We jokingly call it “invisible vendor” – if you know, you know. To further explain: sure, we don’t make money from sales of those highly desirable products, but safety is more important (to us) – and results are very clear – look at the block around 287 Garry St – clean, safe, quiet. No reason to feel uneasy to be in this area. This is how it’s done, just FYI.”