Wawa seeks to make shopping even more convenient by gaining a liquor license to sell beer for a Pennsylvania store.
One Pennsylvania Wawa store in Concord Township, Delaware County is seeking approval to sell beer according to a report by CBS Philly. Grocery stores in the area already sell beer, and Wawa is hoping to follow suit, but this has other retailers on high alert.
Wawa would only provide six-packs, but other business owners and operators fear that the convenience store could expand its product line and hurt their business.
A bill was recently proposed in Pennsylvania to somewhat privatize liquor sales to protect retailers from losing business to stores like Wawa, but this bill, House Bill 466, was vetoed last week by Pennsylvania Governor, Tom Wolf. Wolf said in a statement that the privatization of liquor sales is not in the best interest of consumers, because it would result in price increases and limited selection.
Wolf also stated that he is open to the opportunity to expand the availability of beer and wine to consumers in more locations, including supermarkets.
Wolf’s desire to increase the availability of beer to consumers puts Wawa in a good position in its fight for a liquor license in Pennsylvania. Wawa already has locations, in Virginia and Florida, that are licensed to sell beer.
It is possible that a decision will be made within the month.