Sheetz Resumes Beer Sales in Altoona Convenience Restaurant

ALTOONA, Pa. -- Convenience store chain Sheetz Inc. yesterday resumed beer sales at one of its Convenience Restaurant locations here, following the recent ruling by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) allowing the location to stock and sell beer.

"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," Stan Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz, said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the Pleasant Valley Sheetz location is the only one in Pennsylvania currently approved to sell beer, and we had to allow for on-site 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."

As the beer shelves are re-stocked, Sheetz sales personnel have been re-trained on proper procedures for preventing sales to minors, the company stated. The Sheetz store will also offer several dozen different brands of beer.

"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," Sheetz said.

In 2004, the PLCB granted Sheetz an E-license to sell beer at its Convenience Restaurant at the Pleasant Valley Boulevard location in Altoona. 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, the company stated.

Sheetz subsequently re-applied and agreed to allow 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," says Sheetz. "It's time -- past time -- to allow our people that right. That's why our lawmakers must ignore special interest groups and modernize our beer laws."

Sheetz Inc. also supports Senate Bill 1300, sponsored by Republican Senator John Rafferty, which will reform the state's beer laws.

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