Giant Eagle First Pa. Grocer to Pop Corks

A Giant Eagle Market District store in Robinson, Pa., became the first supermarket in the state to sell wine since before Prohibition, following the passage of a wine privatization bill to allow wine sales in the state’s supermarkets.

The store, located at Settlers Ridge, hosted a ceremonial champagne toast the morning of Aug. 19, attended by Giant Eagle officials and Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Marshall), the bill’s primary sponsor, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. However, the retailer declined to say whether wine sales will extend to any of its other stores.

Under the law, businesses with restaurant or hotel liquor licenses may sell up to three liters of wine to go per customer. So far, nearly 200 stores have applied for wine permits, and 81 have received approval. Currently, 10,000 businesses in the state hold restaurant liquor licenses, including about 300 grocery and convenience stores currently allowed to sell beer.