Shoppers in the Strip District can now add “local alcohol” to the list of specialty items available in neighborhood.
Pennsylvania Libations, the first privately owned liquor store in the state of Pennsylvania, is now open on Penn Avenue in the Strip.
Owner Christian Simmons has worked as a broker for Pennsylvania spirit companies for several years, representing small alcohol producers around the state. He decided to become the champion of putting all these spirit companies under one roof in mid-2015.
As a small business owner himself (he opened Four Seasons Brewing in 2013), Simmons understood how opening a store, or even paying a representative to travel around the state, would be cost-prohibitive for these small brands.
For nearly two years, he has been working to create a physical store for alcohol manufacturers based in Pennsylvania. And now, that work has paid off. Simmons celebrated the grand opening of Pennsylvania Spirits on Monday, June 19, finally opening the store to the public
The store sells spirits only from local providers, many of which would be hard to procure otherwise.
“It would take anyone a week and probably over 1,000 miles to drive around Pennsylvania and visit all these places,” says Simmons.
A current list of spirit providers Pennsylvania Libations is working with includes:
- CJ Spirits
- Liberty Pole Spirits
- Maggie’s Farm Rum
- La Dorita
- Boyd & Blair
- Red Brick Craft Distillery
- Conneaut Cellars Winery
- The Stone House Restaurant
- Big Spring Spirits
- Xplorer Spirits
- Thistle Finch
- Manatawny Still Works
- Ridgerunner Distillery
- Rowhouse Spirits
Pennsylvania Libations also plans to offer other beverage services, such as events and consulting. They can organize a private bar for an event (with menus and specialty bartenders), and will be offering educational classes and consulting on cocktail programs. The physical space itself is also available to rent for events.
And yes, it is possible to try before you buy, as they’ll be offering samples as well.
Follow Pennsylvania Libations Facebook for updates on official store hours and upcoming events.
Pennsylvania Libations (2103 Penn Avenue)
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