Sheetz Makes Pennsylvania's First C-store Wine Sale

SHIPPENSBURG, Pa. — Sheetz became the first Pennsylvania convenience store chain to sell wine following the passage of Act 39, the Adult Beverage Convenience and Wine Privatization Act. The first bottle was sold at 11 a.m. on Oct. 4 at the Sheetz store at 359 East King St. in Shippensburg.

State legislators passed the new law — which expands wine sales in grocery stores, restaurants and hotels — in June.

Pennsylvania House of Representatives Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), who sponsored Act 39, joined Sheetz Board Director Louie Sheetz for the first sale. Other attendees included Tim Holden, chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, House Liquor Committee Chairman Adam Harris (R-Franklin/Mifflin/Juniata) and local lawmakers.

"An adult should have the opportunity to be able to purchase wine and beer in a store where they make other purchases," Turzai said. "It's about convenience. But it's not just convenience. It's about moving into the 21 century."

The event included a celebratory sparkling wine toast. Turzai purchased the first two bottles of wine from the store, a Woodbridge and a Yellow Tail.

"It's a big day in Pennsylvania," said Sheetz, according to a Penn Live report. "It's a proud day for Sheetz."

The store features a wine rack with the label "Sheetz Wine Shop" that holds nearly 15 red and white table wines. Prices range from $7.99 to $15. Other available brands include Cupcake, Mondavi and Roscato. The rack is stationed near the c-store's refrigerated beer cave.

Including the Shippensburg store, Sheetz sells beer at five of its 253 Pennsylvania locations. Applications for wine sales are pending at those other four stores.

"Being able to offer the convenience option for customers for beer and wine both, is something we have long strived to do because our customers have long asked us to," Sheetz said. 

Wine will be sold at the store from 7 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. on Monday through Saturday and from 9 a.m. to 1:45 a.m. on Sundays. Every customer who buys wine will be carded, as the point-of-sale system will not function without proof of identity.

Altoona-based Sheetz operates more than 500 locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Virginia, Maryland, Ohio and North Carolina.