Johnstown narrowly approves Sheetz liquor license transfer

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — City Council, in a 4-3 vote, approved a liquor license transfer for the Sheetz on Broad Street, paving the way for the convenience store to continue a statewide beer-selling trend.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board will still have to approve the transfer, which requires the Sheetz to do a remodel to add seating for 30 people, among other things.

Ellen Freeman, a lawyer representing Sheetz at the Wednesday night meeting, said this vote is the beginning of the process, not the end. It will take some time for the state to approve the transfer, and the company also has quite a bit of work to do to decide on a remodel layout and then actually do the construction.

Council members Ricky Britt, David Vitovich, Jack Williams and Mayor Frank Janakovic voted for the transfer.

Council members Sylvia King, Marie Mock and Charlene Stanton voted no, creating an unusual alliance.

During the meeting, Mock said she worried that nearby family-owned businesses could be hurt if Sheetz started selling beer.

"My concern is bringing alcohol into Sheetz is going to put these small businesses that are local — that are your friends, our friends our neighbors — out of business," Mock said.

Freeman, the lawyer for Sheetz, said that the company isn’t planning on selling the beer for cheaper than nearby stores.

King worried that selling beer and wine at an open store could make it easier for teenagers to get alcohol. Freeman said Sheetz will have cameras in the “Beer Cave” and will card everybody who buys alcohol.

Freeman also said that while on-site drinking of alcohol is allowed, Sheetz allows people to drink just two beverages per visit. In fact, she said, cashiers keep track of who is drinking what in the store to make sure they’re not over-drinking. She also pointed out that on-site consumption generally accounts for just 2 percent of Sheetz’s total alcohol sales.

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