"We look forward to welcoming back our customers who wish to purchase beer from us who have been inconvenienced by these ridiculous legal gymnastics in Pennsylvania," said Stan Sheetz, president [image-nocss] and CEO of the Altoona-based chain. "Unfortunately, the Pleasant Valley [Blvd.] Sheetz location is the only one in Pennsylvania currently approved to sell beer, and we had to allow for onsite consumption for this to happen. That concept is ludicrous, and that's why there is still much work to be done by the Pennsylvania legislature to modernize beer sales laws in the Commonwealth."
In 2004, the PLCB granted Sheetz an E-license to sell beer at that specific convenience restaurant; however, the Malt Beverage Distributors Association (MBDA) filed suit to stop the sales, and last year, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court revoked the company's beer license, requiring it to allow customers to drink on premise, at the store.
In response, Sheetz re-applied and agreed to allow for on-premise consumption at the Altoona location as well as carryout sales, thus adhering to the current law.
"While millions of people across the United States enjoy the freedom and convenience of purchasing alcohol in convenience and grocery stores, the people of Pennsylvania still do not have that right," said Sheetz. "It's timepast timeto allow our people that right. That's why our lawmakers must ignore special interest groups and modernize our beer laws."
Sheetz will offer several dozen different brands of beer from which to choose. "Our customers love variety and all have different tastes. We will stock many brews and think that combined with our low, competitive prices will please consumers who wish to purchase beer," Stan Sheetz said.
The company continues to support Senate Bill 1300, sponsored by State Senator John Rafferty (R) that will reform the state's beer laws. Visit www.freemybeer.com for details.
Sheetz, with more than $3.7 billion in revenue for 2009 and more than 13,000 employees, operates more than 360 convenience locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. It provides an award-winning menu of Made-To-Order (MTO) subs, sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through touchscreen order point terminals.
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