State tests one-stop booze buys

HARRISBURG, Pa. - Soon enough, shoppers in central Pennsylvania might be able to purchase wine, beer and groceries under one roof. Or, at least check everything off their errand list in one car trip.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board wants to make life more convenient for shoppers by moving some of its stores next to supermarkets and teaming up with grocery stores where beer is sold.

Dubbed "Convenience 2020," it's an eight-year initiative, and it found its origin in an unusual source. It emerged during the legislative hearings held earlier this year on a proposal by state House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) to privatize the state's wine and liquor sales.

Clearly, customers want one-stop shopping and the ability to buy wine, spirits and beer along with their groceries in one trip, said Joe Conti, CEO of the Liquor Control Board. So, the LCB is studying three "laboratory" stores with wine and spirits outlets inside supermarkets licensed to sell six- and 12-packs of beer.

Two of the stores are in the western part of the state, in Butler and Allegheny counties. The third is Bill's Shursave Supermarket in Mount Pocono.

Shoppers can buy bottles of chardonnay and six-packs of Sam Adams along with all of their party needs from sandwich platters to birthday cakes. However, each transaction has to take place at separate cash registers - one for beer, another for wine and spirits and yet another for groceries.

There is potential to move more stores into supermarkets as leases for wine and spirit stores come up for renewal. Conti said the agency's real estate department has met with chains such as Giant Eagle, Giant Foods and Acme about its initiative.

Seventeen other supermarkets have wine and liquor outlets inside, but not beer, Conti said. Sales at about three-quarter of those stores have been successful, he said.

LCB also is looking at relocating some stores so they are adjacent to supermarkets.