[greglepore]

The move to groceries came around 2010 ish. Was a boon to bar owners, as the stores had to buy existing liquor licenses (they have a limited number per municipality) with an R (restaurant) endorsement, and they had to have a sit down area where you can eat food. Drove demand thru the roof and doubled prices. Bar owners were hurting from 08 crash and quite a few cashed and ran.

In fact, any bar in Pa is required to serve food...in Philly, it was winked at-pickled eggs or bologna in a jar was enough. More strict elsewhere.