Wawa one step closer to beer sales in Pennsylvania

CHADDS FORD, Pa. (WPVI) -- Wawa is one very big step closer to selling beer at one of its Pennsylvania stores. And if the state gives the final green light, it may mean six packs coming to a Wawa near you.

On Tuesday night the Concord Township board of supervisors approved Wawa's request to sell six packs of beer to go at their Naamans Creek Road location in Chadds Ford.

Wawa's proposal complies with Pennsylvania alcohol regulations. They plan on creating seating, training employees, and abiding by the supervisors' lists of conditions.

Some Wawa customers are asking, what took so long?

Bill Zadinski of Garnett Valley tells us, "I think it'd be very convenient, absolutely. Instead of having to go out to a liquor store or a beer distributor. I live right down the street so, grab a sandwich, grab some gas, grab a six pack."

Beer distributors, like Delaware County's Brewers Outlet located a mile from the wawa, are not happy.

Jeff Dill from Brewers Outlet tells us, "I don't know whether Wawa needs to get into the beer business."

Pennsylvania distributors can only sell beer and the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board rules limit how much at a time. Just recently the state voted to allow them to sell 12 packs.

Similar to Wawa, the Sheetz convenience stores also recently jumped into beer sales, and several local grocery stores near the Chadds Ford Wawa have too.

Jeff Dill just wants an equal playing field, but offers this: "You come here I can recommend, if you don't like this beer, if you want something similar, if you want something different. I can explain the differences in beer. So we have the expertise here that they don't."

Wawa is in the process of buying a license from another municipality. But tonight the board approved its use.

The PLCB still has to approve it as well.