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Beer Coming To A Giant Eagle Near You?

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Jun 9, 2009 6:28 pm US/Eastern

Beer Coming To A Giant Eagle Near You?

Reporting
Jon Delano
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― People who have lived in other states think Pennsylvania has a crazy liquor system.

Wine and Spirits stores can sell wine and hard liquor but not beer.

Beer distributors can sell kegs and cases of beer but not six-packs of beer and little else.

Bars and restaurants can sell wine, mixed drinks and six-packs of beer.

Grocery stores can sell none of the above.

One store locally is trying to change that.

If Giant Eagle gets its way, their store on the Waterfront in Homestead will soon be selling six-packs of beer, just like your neighborhood tavern.

It's about time, says Tom Irr of Squirrel Hill.

"I just moved here after being gone for 28 years and it doesn't look like anything has changed in 28 years. I lived in Maryland, I lived in Ohio, and I lived in Colorado and you could always buy a six pack of beer," says Irr.
 
"It's clear that Pennsylvania is way behind the times."

Giant Eagle has applied to the state's Liquor Control Board for seven restaurant liquor licenses -- six locally -- at Giant Eagles in Monroeville, Robinson Market District, Pine, Waterfront at Homestead, West Mifflin and West View.

If approved, the store could sell beer on tap and mixed drinks but the store says they will only sell six-packs to be consumed off premises.

Not everyone likes the offer.

"I'd be afraid of the prices because you can go to a little neighborhood bar and get a decent price where Giant Eagle, they're not into it for the neighbors," says Ziggy Zelena of Munhall. "They're into it to make money."

Nearby beer distributors like Save-Mor Beer 'n Pop say it's unfair because they can't sell six-packs of beer -- or even grocery food.

"We're not allowed to sell milk, bread," says Rose Schob of Save Mor. "They should stick to their own things -- stick to their meats."

"It will hurt very much," says small business manager Isolina Varrasso of Capri Pizza, which also operates a bar.

At Capri Pizza, the sale of six-packs at Giant Eagle will hurt sales but opponents say the best reason for the state ICB to turn down Giant Eagle is greater access for underage purchases.

"I think it will be very easier for them to buy beer as a younger kid," says Varrassa, "and a lot of kids these days they look way older."

Giant Eagle says it will card younger customers and type birthdates into the cash register as a safeguard.

The Malt Beverage Distributors Association opposes the license and a hearing is set for late July.

The state has approved licenses for two supermarkets back east and Sheetz was approved at an Altoona store although that one's in court.

So don't count on any beer at Giant Eagle anytime soon.

(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)

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