Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s order closing Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board‘s Fine Wine & Spirits stores has been a bonanza for out-of-state retailers. So much so that health departments in West Virginia have restricted bev/al sales to residents only. Meanwhile, Pennsylvania’s craft distilleries are reminding the public that they are here to quench one’s thirst.
In short, Gov. Wolf’s order has been a boon to distilleries in Pennsylvania whose tasting room sales jumped because bottles are no longer in the state stores. Old Republic Distillery is seeing a surge of new customers in its York, Pa., tasting room. “We’re just hoping that after all this goes away they keep coming back to visit us,” said Denise Mathias, co-owner.