gbopp wrote:
Not yet in Pennsylvania but, they're working on it.
Actually, Wine and Beer IS available in grocery stores and even gas stations per a change in the law dating back to 2016.
PER HERE"Highlights of Pennsylvania's new beer, wine sales law
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf has signed into law a bill that expands beer and wine sales statewide. Here are highlights of the new law:
YOU CAN BUY IT AT GAS STATIONS
Gas stations and other businesses that sell gasoline can sell wine and six packs to go. They must still obtain a restaurant liquor license and meet its requirements. Those requirements include sales of prepared foods and a seating area for patrons. Gas must be sold in a location that is separate from sales of wine and beer.
YOU CAN BUY IT AT GROCERY STORES
Restaurants and hotels with liquor licenses can pay a $2,000 permit fee to sell up to four bottles of wine for take out. This includes supermarkets such as Wegmans and Weis Markets that sell take-out beer using restaurant liquor licenses. Restaurants and hotel liquor license holders must purchase the wine from the state at a 10 percent discount and it can't be sold for a lower price. They also must pay a renewal fee equal to 2 percent of wine sales.
LONGER STATE STORE HOURS
Consumers can purchase liquor later in the evenings and on Sundays at state-run liquor stores that are allowed to relax stringent hours of operation. State lottery tickets can also be purchased at state stores. The LCB can also institute new pricing schemes for consumers and must reduce to 10 percent mark-up on specialty orders.
YOU CAN ORDER IT IN THE MAIL
Wine can be purchased directly from out-of-state wineries and shipped through the mail to consumers' homes. With direct-shipment, the 18 percent liquor tax, commonly referred to as the Johnstown Flood Tax, is changed to a lower $2.50 "gallonage" tax.
SERVED 24 HOURS AT CASINOS
Liquor and beer can be consumed all day, every day at casinos willing to pay a $1 million application fee that must be renewed every four years.
IT CAN BE SOLD AT AUCTION
Colleges, universities and some nonprofits will be able to get a wine auction permit for fundraisers.
THE FUTURE OF STATE STORES
The Legislature and governor will set up a commission to study the pros and cons of completely divesting the state of its role in the wholesale and retail liquor business."So, there you go, PA grocery and gas stations CAN sell beer and wine but do to licensing requirement it may not be at ALL Walmarts in PA.
And actually, my local Walmart at one time DID have a "specialty" third party wine shop up front. Never saw any customers in it and I don't think it is there anymore..
