USA: Beer sales will flow on Sundays in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell signed legislation into law on Wednesday, permitting Sundays sales at beer distributors from noon to 5 p.m. The law, which permits the sale of beer and malt beverages, goes into effect in 60 days, American City Business Journals has recently posted.

"By modernizing this law allowing beer sales at distributors on Sunday, we will create opportunities for business growth, while mirroring the beer sales practices of other states," Rendell said. "The bill enables distributors to open for business for the first time on Sunday and meets the demands of consumers who have long supported change."

All facilities, regardless of whether they have a license for Sunday beer sales, will be required to reduce their hours of operation from 24 hours a day, six days a week, to 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The legislation also increases the wholesale discount to all licensees from 7 percent to 10 percent, to protect restaurants, and repeals the requirement of food accounting for 30 percent of sales in order for an eating establishment to sell alcohol on Sundays, with the exception of establishments in Philadelphia.

10 July, 2005