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dolanbp t1_iy14z8x wrote

Reply to comment by Jazzlike_Breadfruit9 in Article about the terminal building development. Thoughts? by _koopatroopa_

Been out of the burgh for a bit now... is Pennsylvania Libations still down there? And if so, between that, breweries, wineries... why evened need a state store?

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Ernie077 t1_iy1l589 wrote

The closest state store to the strip is either downtown or lawernceville. It’s actually convenient for people who live/work in the strip to shop at.

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dolanbp t1_iy1mgsv wrote

That... doesn't answer my question.

There are breweries, for beer. Wineries, for wine. And Pennsylvania Libations specializes in Pennsylvania craft liquors. Everything a state store offers is available through other merchants (yes, I know state stores don't sell beer).

The Strip has always been "the place" to go when you want local/specialty/ethnic items. You've got local butchers and groceries, specialty coffee, cigars, and spices, Asian, Italian, and Greek markets. How does a Wine and Spirits shop fit into that, when that niche is already filled, and filled better? If you really badly want big name liquor or wine, the bus to East Liberty picks up at Penn Station and gets you to a Fine Wine and Good Spirits in like 5-10 minutes. The shops you mentioned in L-ville and Downtown are a short bus/bike ride away. Your answer is one of laziness.

Edit: add to my comment that the top comment I replied to notes the stock at this new location is lacking, so what's the point anyway.

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Hi_Im_A t1_iy3ekyb wrote

The state store is the only place to get alcohol from other places.

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dolanbp t1_iy3glkm wrote

That logic doesn't follow with me. It's like saying that because Penn Mac doesn't sell Great Value pasta, there should be a Walmart in the Strip.

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Hi_Im_A t1_iy3h5p3 wrote

I didn't say "there should be a FWGS in the Strip."

You said more than once that you can get everything you would get at the state store at PA Libations, and I pointed out the large category of things that make that untrue.

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dolanbp t1_iy3j6oy wrote

The state store sells wine and liquor. PA Libations sells wine and liquor. Sure, that's somewhat reductionist, but its the truth. Complaining that a store doesn't carry everything that another store carries is a dead horse you'll never beat anything out of. If you want something from FWGS, there's four or five stores within a 5-15 minute commute of the strip by various transportation methods. If what you want is wine, there's even more options through grocery stores.

The FWGS is just an example of the bigger problem though. Specialty shops are the reason people shop at the strip. They don't go there to buy bottles of big name wine and a Chipotle burrito bowl. Suburban shopping malls have that. We've seen this sort of thing done before at Allegheny Center Mall, Southside Works, at Station Square, at The Waterfront. We need to stop making urban centers designed for suburban people.

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Ernie077 t1_iy55jyp wrote

You said you’ve been out of the Burgh for a few years. There has been an explosion of offices and apartments in the strip. People who work/live in the strip can walk to the liquor store at lunch/after work to pick up something not available at PA Libations.

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dolanbp t1_iy5ij0m wrote

When I left (mid-covid), several were already built, but it looks like the wasteland between One Waterfront Place and Cork Factory has partially filled in. Is Railroad street useful yet? Does the trail go past 15th street now?

I can understand the need for a liquor store if the demographic has changed that much and the demand is there. What I don't understand are rhe other "suburban walkable mall" choices.

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