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Fact of the Day: Liquor Store Density
Rep. Mike Turzai’s proposal (HB 11) to allow private retailers to sell wine and spirits would approximately double the number of liquor stores (not including wine kiosks and wineries) in the state, to 1,250.
But even at that level, Pennsylvania would remain among the states with the fewest liquor stores based on population—more than 10,000 residents for every liquor store. Nationally, there are 4,461 residents per liquor store, and less than 2,000 residents for every wine retailer (off-site outlets, which exclude bars and restaurants).
For Pennsylvania to be at the national average, the state would have to offer more than 2,800 spirits licenses, and 6,600 wine retail licenses.
| Population Per Alcohol Retail Store (Off-Site Vendor) | ||
| Spirits | Wine | |
| Pennsylvania (Currently) | 19,926 | 16,470 |
| Pennsylvania at 1,250 stores | 10,106 | 10,106 |
| National Average | 4,461 | 1,897 |
| Number of Outlets for PA to be at National Average | 2,832 | 6,660 |
| Sources: Spirits Stores: NABCA, Beverage Information Group, and state websites, compiled by DISCUS Wine Retail: Adams Handbook Outlet tables – “Off Premise Vendors,” 2010 Population: US Census, Population Estimates, www.census.gov |
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| Prepared by Commonwealth Foundation, www.CommonwealthFoundation.org | ||