Harrisburg – In response to requests from retail licensees and suppliers, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board is re-opening its Special Order program, which offers items not stocked by the PLCB, in a limited capacity.
The Special Order program will resume this month only for retail licensees that also have a wine expanded permit, since they are the only retail licensees that can sell wine to go and since all sales and service of on-premises consumption is prohibited until further notice.
All holders of wine expanded permits will be able to order Special Orders beginning Wednesday, April 22, with no limitations to the Special Order catalogue or order size. Licensees will be able to pick up Special Orders from designated PLCB locations beginning Friday, April 24.
Fourteen locations across Pennsylvania – in Bethlehem, Northampton County; Bridgeville, Allegheny County; Broomall, Delaware County; Canonsburg, Washington County; Erie; Feasterville, Bucks County; Harrisburg, Dauphin County; Lancaster; Marshall’s Creek, Monroe County; Norristown, Montgomery County; Philadelphia; Pittsburgh; West Chester, Chester County; and Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne County – have been designated for licensee Special Order deliveries and pickups, by appointment.
PLCB fulfillment facilities for e-commerce orders, curbside pickup, and Special Orders are implementing public health best practices to protect employees and customers, including enhanced facility sanitation, social distancing protocols, limiting the numbers of employees working in any facility at a time, and scheduling customer and licensee pickups.
The PLCB is not considering reopening stores to the public at this time, although it continues to monitor the situation in consultation with the Wolf Administration and public health officials.
The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates nearly 600 wine and spirits stores statewide, and licenses 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. Taxes and store profits – totaling nearly $18.5 billion since the agency’s inception – are returned to Pennsylvania’s General Fund, which finances Pennsylvania’s schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety initiatives, among other important public services. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state. For more information about the PLCB, visit lcb.pa.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT: Elizabeth Brassell, 717-919-1905