Students trying to figure out where to pick up a six-pack of beer on a Friday night may soon have more options to do so.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday in a case that could overturn current law and allow convenience stores to sell beer packs to-go.
According to current Pennsylvania law, beer sold in six-packs can only be sold by registered distributors, such as restaurants or stores with dine-in seating.
Sheetz Inc., a convenience store chain in Pennsylvania, is at the center of the Supreme Court debate. Sheetz installed limited seating at a convenience store in order to meet the dine-in requirement for beer distribution.
The Liquor Control Board determined that Sheetz's seating qualified the chain for a state beer license, awarded in 2004.
However, larger distributors, like the Malt Beverage Distributors Association, have sued the convenience store chain, claiming that it intends to sell merely for off-site consumption, falling short of the requirement.
If the court rules in Sheetz's favor, it would enable more convenience store chains in the state to qualify for liquor licenses merely by building small seating areas.
This would likely increase access to six-pack beer sales, which are now limited to bars and other beer distributors.
The Malt Beverage Distributors Association claims that such a ruling would harm small businesses by allowing larger companies, such as Wal-Mart, to sell beer to consumers.
The state Supreme Court is expected to rule on the issue soon.
