Major inaccuracy in newspaper article (Philadelphia, California: sales, 2013, buying)

[wardwhirlboromarlpool1955]

I read this gem of a paragraph in a rather long article about the PLCB privatization being debated right now:

Anyone traveling outside Pennsylvania knows how refreshing it is to enter a grocery store and, remembering you need a bottle of wine, browse the plethora of vino at your fingertips. Since others accomplish this feat with little difficulty, it’s incomprehensible that the nation’s sixth-largest state can’t — or, more accurately, won’t — do the same.

http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2...b936509390.txt

Actually, no supermarkets in Delaware sell alcoholic beverages. Nor can most supermarkets in New Jersey or the parts of Maryland remotely close to Philadelphia. First of all, Maryland liquor laws are by county, not at state level. New Jersey restricts each grocery chain to ownership of two liquor licenses, meaning Acme for example can only pick two of their stores in the whole state to sell alcohol at. Also, Delaware allows supermarket chains to own liquor stores, but they must be entirely separate (so they might as well be across the street or at the far other end of the shopping center) from the supermarket itself. Most Southern states, California, Illinois, and most other states of all political persuasions are more relaxed than NJ, DE, and, MD, not to mention PA. While this may sound ridiculous, I like the PA system better than what any of our border states have, because while sales are far from convenient in PA, seedy liquor stores (except for some beer distributors and the worse state stores) are mostly shut out of our lives. And while making a separate trip to a state store is not convenient for grocery shoppers, I look at it this way... what is going to have a bigger selection, one half aisle of wines and one half aisle of spirits in a supermarket, or either a whole store dedicated to beer or a whole store that is dedicated to wine/spirits?

[pcity]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

what is going to have a bigger selection, one half aisle of wines and one half aisle of spirits in a supermarket, or either a whole store dedicated to beer or a whole store that is dedicated to wine/spirits?

Most grocery stores I've been to in VA have way more than a "half aisle" of wines.

For any wines you can't find at the grocery store, you go to a specialty shop like Total Wine, which has far better prices, better service, and better selection than a PA state store.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by wardwhirlboromarlpool1955

Actually, no supermarkets in Delaware sell alcoholic beverages. Nor can most supermarkets in New Jersey or the parts of Maryland remotely close to Philadelphia.

The only thing inaccurate here is your interpretation of the article. Pennsylvania is more than Philadelphia, and borders states other than New Jersey, Maryland and Delaware.

While this may sound ridiculous

It does indeed.

Here are some of my favorite "seedy" wine and liquor stores:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-village-...ellars-lebanon
http://dillycafe.com/
https://www.thepartysource.com/
http://www.arrowwineandspirits.com/
http://www.hydeparkgourmet.com/

[bryson662001]

There may have been an inaccuracy printed in a newspaper? OMG....what's next, sliced bread? Seriously, newspapers get it wrong more often then they get it right because the reporters aren't familier with their subject. If you are ever involved personally in an incident and then read about it later you will see what I mean.

[rotodome]

Buying wine in NY is SO much more of a pleasant experience than in PA. The PLCB is one of the things I miss least about PA, and this might be the only idea Corbett's had that I'd get behind.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

There may have been an inaccuracy printed in a newspaper?

The article was not inaccurate.

The OP is mistaken in thinking that "outside Pennsylvania" includes only Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. Other states do indeed allow beer and wine sales in grocery stores; some, like California and Michigan, allow liquor sales in grocery stores.

[Pine to Vine]

I've lived in states that have great liquor stores and also allow the grocery stores to sell sprits. It is a great convenience. We used to run to a warehouse style liquor store for large volume liquor purchases, yet while grocery shopping, could pick up a six pack or special bottle of wine to go with that evening's meal. The fact that the warehouse could sell wine, liquor and beer meant for one-stop shopping. In fact, the "warehouse" store we frequented also sold cheese, gourmet food, cookware and lots of different items. I did not see "seedy" liquor stores as a result of allowing the free-market system to operate in this manner. In truth, the PA state stores seem considerable seedier to me than those where I used to live. That, along with poor selection, high price and staff attitude contribute to why I try to avoid them as much as possible since I'm lucky to live near the borders of two other states.

[Angus215]

PA liquor laws are ridiculous and the post-prohibition state store / beer distributor model needs to be eliminated immediately. will also generate more $ for the state via licensing and taxes, since it would be run better.

[bryson662001]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

The article was not inaccurate.

The OP is mistaken in thinking that "outside Pennsylvania" includes only Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland. Other states do indeed allow beer and wine sales in grocery stores; some, like California and Michigan, allow liquor sales in grocery stores.

I appreciate your point but that doesn't diminish the accuracy of my comment.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by bryson662001

I appreciate your point but that doesn't diminish the accuracy of my comment.

I'd challenge you to compare the number of inaccurate statements to the number accurate statements in any newspaper on any day.

You'll be proven inaccurate.