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Liquor store Credit: Leslie Krivo-Kaufman

Fine Wine & Good Spirits — located at 41st and Market streets — permanently closed on Saturday, Jan. 14, to the surprise of many students.

The closure was due to “issues with the landlord and the physical site,” according to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board spokesperson Stacey Witalec.

The building, which PLCB leased from a landlord, was “no longer a good option to have a store.”

Witalec declined to provide additional details regarding the site’s “issues.”

Witalec added that the board is planning to open another liquor store in the nearby area. The location is still under negotiation.

She does not believe the store’s closing will greatly affect PLCB’s business. She does not believe students and residents who frequented the store will be inconvenienced too much as there are other nearby liquor stores.

The store at the 41st and Market intersection was one of 601 stores operated by the state.

In 2007, PLCB and community leaders were discussing potential plans to move the liquor store to 43rd and Walnut streets, within a few blocks of the Penn Alexander School and a community mosque.

The Masjid Al-Jamia Mosque, located at 4228 Walnut St., fought strongly against the move, arguing that the store would offend their religion.

PLCB needed a permit approved by the Zoning Board of Adjustment to complete the move. In Pennsylvania, the zoning board is allowed to reject a liquor license if the proposed store location is within 300 feet of a place of worship, hospital, charitable institution, school or public playground.

The plans, which garnered heated controversy, ultimately fell through.

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