by KYW's Paul Kurtz
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has tried to break out of its stodgy Prohibition-era bureaucracy by introducing new features, such as more spacious Wine and Spirits stores.
Its latest venture is the "wine boutique," but the plan has sparked a lot of criticism.
PLCB chairman Patrick Stapleton (right) says the idea is still in the exploratory stage:
"Eight to ten wine boutiques as sublets from high-end gourmet food shops in Pennsylvania communities including Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Harrisburg."
Each boutique would have up to 200 brands specially chosen by wine experts working at the store.
"Being in a store that sells cheeses and breads and smoked meats gives us the opportunity to allow people to pair those wines with foods."
And hopefully, says Stapleton, customers will buy the wines, preferably by the case.
But the plan is not sitting well with some restaurant owners in Philadelphia:
"I didn't sign up to compete against the State of Pennsylvania."
Jon Myerow, owner of Tria -- a wine, beer, and cheese café -- has organized a group called Pennsylvania Restaurants for Fair Competition:
"The problem is that it's only being opened to hand-selected businesses. The rest of us can't participate. It's not a level playing field."
Myerow also points to a conflict of interest in which the PLCB would be competing with businesses it regulates.
But PLCB chairman Stapleton says the critics are misinformed:
"Once they understand what the concept is all about, I don't see how this can be bad for consumers. I don't see how this can be bad for the wine and food business in Philadelphia or Pittsburgh or anywhere else."
Stapleton is hoping to have the first wine boutiques up and running by this fall.
(File photos)
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