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Sheetz Resumes Beer Sales in Altoona Convenience Restaurant; Much Work Still Needed, Says CEO

The beer shelves are being re-stocked at the Sheetz Convenience Restaurant at 1915 Pleasant Valley Boulevard in Altoona. In addition, Sheetz sales personnel have been re-trained on proper procedures for preventing sales to minors.

"We look forward to welcoming back our customers who wish to purchase beer from us who have been inconvenienced by these ridiculous legal gymnastics in Pennsylvania," said Stan Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz, Inc. "Unfortunately, the Pleasant Valley Sheetz location is the only one in Pennsylvania currently approved to sell beer, and we had to allow for on-site consumption for this to happen, That concept is ludicrous, and that's why there is still much work to be done by the Pennsylvania legislature to modernize beer sales laws in the Commonwealth."

In 2004, the PLCB granted Sheetz an E-license to sell beer at its Convenience Restaurant at the Pleasant Valley Boulevard location in Altoona. However, the Malt Beverage Distributors Association (MBDA) filed suit to stop the sales, and last year, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court revoked the company's beer license, requiring it to allow customers to drink on premise, at the store.

In response, Sheetz re-applied and agreed to allow for on-premise consumption at the Altoona location as well as carryout sales, thus adhering to the current law.

"While millions of people across the United States enjoy the freedom and convenience of purchasing alcohol in convenience and grocery stores, the people of Pennsylvania still do not have that right," says Sheetz. "It's time -- past time -- to allow our people that right. That's why our lawmakers must ignore special interest groups and modernize our beer laws."

Sheetz will offer several dozen different brands of beer from which to choose, a point Mr. Sheetz feels will please customers. "Our customers love variety and all have different tastes. We will stock many brews and think that combined with our low, competitive prices will please consumers who wish to purchase beer."

Sheetz, Inc. continues to support Senate Bill 1300, sponsored by Senator John Rafferty (R-44) that will reform the state's beer laws. More information on the company's position can be found at www.freemybeer.com.

Established in 1952 in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Sheetz, Inc. is one of America's fastest growing family-owned and operated convenience store chains, with more than $3.7 billion in revenue for 2009 and more than 13,000 employees. The company operates more than 360 convenience locations throughout Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio and North Carolina. Sheetz provides an award-winning menu of MTO® subs, sandwiches and salads, which are ordered through unique touch-screen order point terminals. Sheetz currently ranks on the Best Places to Work list in Ohio and North Carolina and has been on that list in Pennsylvania for eight consecutive years. All Sheetz convenience stores are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. For more information, visit www.sheetz.com.

SOURCE Sheetz, Inc.