By Christen Smith | The Center Square
Pennsylvania’s liquor stores will remain closed for now, state officials said Thursday, despite reports of a “soft opening” strategy in the works.
Elizabeth Brassell, spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, said the administration “continues to monitor the situation” along with public health officials.
“We are evaluating the resumption of limited online sales,” she said. “More information will be made available as we develop and finalize plans to support our employees, licensees, suppliers and customers to the best of our abilities in these uncertain times.”
Gov. Tom Wolf closed the state’s roughly 600 liquor stores last week as part of a statewide social distancing directive meant to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. He told reporters Sunday he was rethinking the decision.
“We are looking at that very seriously,” he said. “I’m trying to understand the thinking in other states.”
Senate Majority Leader Jake Corman, R-Centre, said Wednesday that the LCB was considering a “soft opening” of stores that would provide curbside service or home delivery.
Pennsylvania is the only state to close its liquor stores during the coronavirus pandemic. The Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said the situation underscores flaws in the current state-run system and urged the governor to consider alternatives to a complete shutdown.
“Pennsylvania’s hospitality industry, including craft distillers, is already under enormous strain due to the U.S. tariffs on EU spirits and wine products,” he said in a letter to Wolf. “It is the only channel of distribution that Pennsylvania consumers have to distilled spirit.”
