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Last week, The Patriot reported that beer and wine sales may become a reality at Wegmans supermarkets in Pennsylvania. “Under the licenses, which are regular restaurant licenses, the stores can sell up to two six packs of beer to go at a time. The approved Wegmans stores will sell beer and wine by the glass in sit-down Market Cafes”
The Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania are not taking kindly to this recent approval by the Liquor Control Board and are suing to block Wegmans from selling alcoholic beverages.
I’m all in favor of bringing Pennsylvania’s liquor laws out of the stone age, but if beer distributors can’t sell 6-packs in their stores yet, why should Wegmans be allowed to?
Pennsylvania needs to start allowing 6 pack sales outside of local bars and restaurants, but politicians are still debating a bill to allow 6-pack sales in the beer distributors. The Pennsylvania Tavern Association is suing to prevent sales of less than a case of beer at the distributors.
Wegmans is getting approval because they claim to be a “restaurant” inside a supermarket. It might not be long until Sheetz gets a hold of a license to sell beer in their stores under the same loophole. It seems like every other state in the country can freely sell beer and wine in grocery stores while Pennsylvania is restricted to beer distributors only. Many other states allow gas station convenience stores to sell beer next to the milk and Gatorade.
Everyone needs to stop bickering and get Pennsylvania liquor laws up to speed with the rest of the country. Beer distributors should put their energy behind getting 6-pack sales allowed in their stores first. They should advocate greater consumer choice, not create lawsuits under the guise of “saving jobs”.
If you feel the same way you can sign the Petition for Expanded Beer and Wine Sales in Pennsylvania.
