Wine sales in supermarkets?? (York, Carlisle: to buy, live, prices)

[AlexisT]

I thought I understood PA liquor laws (just moved here recently). Wine & spirits shop, beer store, carry out beer--nothing in the supermarket unless you have a "one stop" shop (or you use Wegmans' trick of opening a cafe and getting a carry out license).

But today I went into Giant and saw that they had some kind of wine shop. How does that work? I assume it's some special exception. I am, however, confused. I'm ready to drive to Maryland to buy booze.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by AlexisT

I thought I understood PA liquor laws (just moved here recently). Wine & spirits shop, beer store, carry out beer--nothing in the supermarket unless you have a "one stop" shop (or you use Wegmans' trick of opening a cafe and getting a carry out license).

But today I went into Giant and saw that they had some kind of wine shop. How does that work? I assume it's some special exception. I am, however, confused. I'm ready to drive to Maryland to buy booze.

Which Giant was this, Alexis?

[BPP1999]

PA is S L O W L Y modernizing/liberalizing its liquor laws.

About 5-6 years ago, they started allowing certain state stores (where you buy wine and hard liquor) to have Sunday hours. I believe that now, 50% of the stores in the system have Sunday hours.

Within the past year or 2, beer distributors (where you can buy cases) were given the option of having Sunday hours.

They are contemplating allowing bars/take-out places to sell 3 instead of 2 6-packs at a time. Note: you can always buy 2 6-packs, put them in your car, then go back to the same place and buy 2 more six packs, and keep repeating this exercise, if you so choose. You just can't buy more than 2 at the same time.

The ACME in Phoenixville has a state store (where you can buy wine and hard liquor) inside the ACME, but in a separate location. This concept is slowly expanding in PA. And, Wegman's is supposedly suing to be allowed to sell wine in PA (I love the concept of an out-of-state retailer spending their money to fight PA's bizarre liquor laws).

About 5-6 years ago, they began the concept of having "premium collection" state stores, which feature a much wider selection, and more knowledgeable, friendly staff. I visited 1 such store and was very happy with the prices, selection, and our cashier walked us throughout the store to show us some good deals without us even having to ask.

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by BPP1999

PA is S L O W L Y modernizing/liberalizing its liquor laws.

They are contemplating allowing bars/take-out places to sell 3 instead of 2 6-packs at a time. Note: you can always buy 2 6-packs, put them in your car, then go back to the same place and buy 2 more six packs, and keep repeating this exercise, if you so choose. You just can't buy more than 2 at the same time.

The ACME in Phoenixville has a state store (where you can buy wine and hard liquor) inside the ACME, but in a separate location. This concept is slowly expanding in PA. And, Wegman's is supposedly suing to be allowed to sell wine in PA (I love the concept of an out-of-state retailer spending their money to fight PA's bizarre liquor laws).

About 5-6 years ago, they began the concept of having "premium collection" state stores, which feature a much wider selection, and more knowledgeable, friendly staff. I visited 1 such store and was very happy with the prices, selection, and our cashier walked us throughout the store to show us some good deals without us even having to ask.

Bpp,

I personally never liked the concept of the ABC state run stores. I kind of felt like I was going into a police station to buy booze.

On the other hand, I can't tell you the last time I went to a bar for carryout beer, but that's another ridiculous rule. They may allow you to carry 3 out? Wow, that's progress, lol. additionally, the sub and "quick 6" shops in my area that sell beer know they can get away with charging a premium for it.

These are the most Byzantine liquor laws I have personally seen in the places I've lived. True..Wegaman's may sue and I hope they succeeed, but it won't be easy nor will it be cheap.

[BPP1999]

Originally Posted by Gil3

Bpp,

They may allow you to carry 3 out? Wow, that's progress, lol.

Progress, Pennsylvania-style.

[truemuck]

Originally Posted by Gil3

These are the most Byzantine liquor laws I have personally seen in the places I've lived. True..Wegaman's may sue and I hope they succeeed, but it won't be easy nor will it be cheap.

Go to Utah! They're still fighting the repealing of Prohibition there!
Alcohol laws of Utah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[AlexisT]

Originally Posted by Gil3

Which Giant was this, Alexis?

Mechanicsburg - corner of Carlisle Pike and 114 (I can't spell the name!)

The laws here baffle me. New York is not exactly swingin' with its laws (Wegmans there is leading the fight for wine in supermarkets) but it's simpler than this. (Aside from the rule that liquor stores can't sell anything but liquor, items used to serve it, and, um, lottery tickets.) Liquor sales seem to be a big issue for Wegmans--it doesn't surprise me a bit that they're using the cafe loophole to sell beer!

Even Utah is moving to weaken its laws a little!