If Pennsylvania’s pandemic-based ban on booze sales that began more than a month ago has given you the blues, the state liquor control board has some news that may lift your spirits.
Beginning Monday, April 20, curbside pickup of liquor and wine will be available at select Pennsylvania Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores on a limited basis, Monday through Saturday.
Two of the stores are located in the Saucon Valley area:
- Fine Wine & Good Spirits Premium Collection Store #3918, Promenade Shops at Saucon Valley, 3060 Center Valley Parkway, Center Valley, Pa., (Phone: 610-871-4304)
- Fine Wine & Good Spirits Store #4807, Creekside Marketplace, 1848 Leithsville Road, Hellertown, Pa. (Phone: 610-838-5683)
In addition to the Hellertown and Center Valley stores, seven other state-owned liquor stores will be opening for curbside sales on Monday.
According to information released Saturday by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the stores that are participating in the curbside pickup program will each be accepting a limited number of orders by phone from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. “or until the store reaches the maximum number of orders it can fulfill that day.”
Officials did not specify what the maximum number or limited number of orders might be.
However, customers will be limited to no more than six bottles per order, and only one order will be accepted per caller, per store, per day.
Payment by credit card will be required by phone, and all curbside pickup sales will be final.
Pennsylvania is known for its unique and restrictive system of alcohol sales, which the novel coronavirus pandemic has upended in a way not seen in other U.S. states dealing with the same crisis.
Gov. Tom Wolf’s closure of liquor stores–which his administration defined as non-essential businesses–has been criticized by some members of the public, with some opting to travel to New Jersey and other surrounding states in order to obtain alcohol. An online sales program that began earlier this month has also drawn criticism for the fact that only one in a thousand attempts to access the cumbersome PLCB site was successful.
“Fine Wine & Good Spirits is making strides in expanding service to our customers,” the PLCB said Saturday. “We ask you to remain patient if you don’t get through by phone right away. We’re optimistic our capacity to fulfill orders through our website and curbside pickup will increase in the coming weeks. Thank you for your continued patience and understanding.”
Specific details about the program–such as whether store staff will wear masks or face coverings when delivering the purchases curbside–were not available as of late Saturday.
To view the full list of participating retail wine and spirits stores, click here.
