Pennsylvania just passed a bill that loosens up their alcohol laws (click here.) The Pennsylvania laws were updated to allow for, among other things, wine sales in grocery stores and beer sales at convenience stores and gas stations. (Some called it the Sheetz bill.)
Like the rest of the U.S., Pennsylvania’s liquor laws, were like a drunk driver, all over the place. Each State, down to the County level, sets its own liquor laws which can and do vary county to county. The restrictions get even stricter and screwier as you head South where in some places the Bible belt folks still regard alcohol as the Demon’s Rum. (Quick joke break – Why do Baptists not have sex standing up? They believe it might lead to dancing.)
Check out this map of dry counties in the U.S. All this does is force people to have to drive several miles to get their booze.
In Maryland, where we have some fairly “lenient” liquor laws, you still can’t buy beer and wine in grocery or drug stores but yet neighboring Virginia allows it. (Locally, places like Dent’s and McKay’s Grocery Stores are allowed to sell alcohol due to some grandfathering-in laws.)