DCHP-3

bond store

< bonded store
DCHP-2 (Oct 2016)

Spelling variants:
Bond Store, Bond store

n. — Newfoundland, Administration, Food & Drink

a liquor store.

Type: 2. Preservation — The term bond store is described as a 'warehouse or cellar where spirituous liquor is stored' (see DNE, s.v. "bond store"). As noted by the DNE, it likely derives from the British English term "bonded store", defined as 'a store or warehouse in charge of Custom-house officials, in which goods may be kept in bond' (see OED-3, s.v. "bonded" (2)). An origin of British English coincides with Newfoundland's settlement history, as the province was settled by many people from southwest counties of England in the 18th and 19th centuries (Clarke 2010b: 7). As explained in the 1915 quotation, leftover goods from ships would eventually be removed by Customs and taken to bond stores; after a certain period of time, these goods were available for purchase at the "government bond store" (see the 1991 quotation). Among the items popularly sold at bond stores would arguably be liquor (see, for example, the 1924 quotation). Thus, the use of bond store as a synonym for "liquor store" can be seen as a type of semantic generalization (see the 1960 quotation).
See also COD-2, s.v. "bond store", which is marked "Cdn (Nfld)" and DNE, s.v. "bond store".

Quotations

1859
To rent of Warehouse for Bonded Store from 10th May to 1st October [...]
1876
Between 60,000 and 70,000 gallons of whiskey [...] have been stolen by degrees from the bonded stores of the Thomond Gate Distillery, Limerick.
1894
Others declare that they will force open the bonded stores on their own premises and take out their contents.
1915
What happens is this: A steamer arrives and lands goods, which are put in a sufferance warehouse. After five days, if the goods have not been taken possession of by the owner, the Customs can go down, take charge of the goods and have them removed to a bond store. The cost of removing goods will be charged to the owner. Then, if they are not removed within a certain time after having being placed in the bond store, the Customs are empowered to sell them, deduct from the proceeds the charges, cost of removal, storing, &c., and pay the balance over to the owner.
1924
The Government is making a profit of thirty five dollars a case on whiskey. That is what the Government is getting out of it. It costs about fifty shillings a case. At the present rate of exchange that comes to eleven dollars. The freight by the Sachem is 75c. Say it costs twenty five cents to cart it to the Bond store.
1955
For more than two centuries the distinguished firm of Newman has had a direct interest in the trade of Newfoundland. Represented now by Baine, Johnston & Co., Ltd., their famous "Newfoundland" port wine is still matured in their own bond store in St. John's, a prison-like building adjoining the West End office of the Liquor Control Board.
1960
His face from rum would advertise each bond store in the town. He said like many more that day he lost his home and all, and had no place to put his head, the long, cold, dreary fall.
1984
Sydney Town also has a bonded store where the rum was stored for strict control.
1991
We used to sell rum to every licensed house along the coast... they'd buy one gallon from the government bond store and three gallons from the rum-runners.... I mind the time we was runnin' fourteen puncheons of rum into St. John's harbour [...]
1998
After Jack Tobin vacated the building, the East End Bond Store began operations there in 1928, and in 1932 it became a liquor store. The structure was vacant from 1953 until 1984. It was then used by Hayward Interiors until 1991, and then by Hutton's Music.
2005
Investigators from the Canada Border Services Agency allege that duty-free goods, which are intended to be used by allied forces personnel only, were being diverted away from an allied forces bond store on the base and into the hands of outside civilians.

References

  • COD-2
  • DNE
  • OED-3
  • Clarke (2010b)