Walmart submitted the top bid for a restaurant liquor license earlier this year for a store in South Union Township in southwestern Pennsylvania. It's the first liquor license in PA for Walmart, assuming the company files the required application and is awarded the license.
"We want Walmart customers in Fayette County to save money so they can live better," said a Walmart spokesperson, predictably.
According to Shawn Kelly from the Liquor Control Board, if Walmart is granted approval for the license, they will have to turn a portion of their store into a cafe that measures at least 400 square feet and has at least 30 chairs. Walmart would also be limited to selling 192 ounces of beer (approximately two six-packs) per transaction for off-premises consumption.
It is expected that Walmart will apply for a permit to sell up to three liters of wine per retail transaction.
Walmart isn't the first big box store in Pennsylvania to acquire a liquor license. A Target store in Plymouth Township (Montgomery County) has had a restaurant liquor license since last November. Several supermarkets and convenience stores - as well as movie theaters - already own liquor licenses in the state.
Showing posts with label liquor license. Show all posts
Showing posts with label liquor license. Show all posts
Sunday, May 12, 2019
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
ShopRite planning restaurant (with beer!) in East Norriton
ShopRite is looking to join Wegmans and Whole Foods in the restaurant business. The Brown family, which owns 10 ShopRite stores in the Philadelphia region, is in the planning stages for a restaurant in its East Norriton, PA store. The company recently applied for a liquor license, and says it plans to serve craft beer when the restaurant opens sometime in the next year or two.
The Brown family's next ShopRite store is slated to open next June at the former Tasty Baking site in Philadelphia.
The Brown family's next ShopRite store is slated to open next June at the former Tasty Baking site in Philadelphia.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Privatization of liquor sales would create opportunity for supermarkets
According to multiple reports, PA House Majority Leader Mike Turzai has introduced a bill that would result in the auctioning off of the state's 600 liquor stores and the sale of additional liquor licenses. A debate is raging among State House leaders over Turzai's bill (HB 11) and whether or not it makes financial sense.
According to Turzai, auctioning licenses could generate $2 billion for the state, which would auction 750 licenses to grocery stores and big box retailers, and leave 600 licenses for independent operators. Despite the license revenue, Turzai says his overall plan would be revenue neutral. With a privatized system, the state would not benefit from liquor sales, of course. Revenue would come in the form of license fees and gallonage taxes.
Pennsylvania and Utah are the only states that fully control alcohol sales, and more than half of U.S. states impose a gallonage tax on liquor and/or wine.
Not surprisingly, the union that represents liquor store employees opposes the plan, as it believes many union members would lose their jobs.
As for the affect on consumers, some legislators are saying Turzai's plan would result in higher prices. Turzai disagrees, and also thinks his plan would improve the customer experience in terms of selection and convenience.
In the end, it may be a moot point. Senate President Joe Scarnati, who pointed out that the state did not intend for the PLCB to be run like a business, would rather reform the current system than privatize it. Many of his colleagues seem to agree.
According to Turzai, auctioning licenses could generate $2 billion for the state, which would auction 750 licenses to grocery stores and big box retailers, and leave 600 licenses for independent operators. Despite the license revenue, Turzai says his overall plan would be revenue neutral. With a privatized system, the state would not benefit from liquor sales, of course. Revenue would come in the form of license fees and gallonage taxes.
Pennsylvania and Utah are the only states that fully control alcohol sales, and more than half of U.S. states impose a gallonage tax on liquor and/or wine.
Not surprisingly, the union that represents liquor store employees opposes the plan, as it believes many union members would lose their jobs.
As for the affect on consumers, some legislators are saying Turzai's plan would result in higher prices. Turzai disagrees, and also thinks his plan would improve the customer experience in terms of selection and convenience.
In the end, it may be a moot point. Senate President Joe Scarnati, who pointed out that the state did not intend for the PLCB to be run like a business, would rather reform the current system than privatize it. Many of his colleagues seem to agree.
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