Liquor store to open at 43rd and Chestnut during summer

The liquor store at 43rd and Chestnut streets is set to open in just a few months.

Barry Grossbach, chair of the Spruce Hill Community Association expects the “premium” Wine and Spirits Shop to be open sometime in late summer, if not before. West Philly Local reported that the store would be open in about three months.

“We assume that [the state] is interested in getting it up and running as quickly as possible,” he said.

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board did not respond to a request for comment.

The new store will replace video store Risque Video and a check cashing location and will be akin to those near 12th and Chestnut streets and 19th and Chestnut streets.

It should reduce crowding at the store near 49th Street and Baltimore Ave., which has served many customers since the closing of Fine Wine & Good Spirits at 41st and Market streets in January 2012.

“We’ve been working with [the state] for some time to try to get an upgraded wine and spirits shop out here and we expect this one will be,” Grossbach said. “In general, I think people are pleased … and I assume that the drinking student population at the University of Pennsylvania will not be unhappy.”

An Engineering senior who chose to remain anonymous due to the nature of the issue believes that the store would reduce hassle for students.

“Having the liquor store on Chestnut Street instead of Market Street will do wonders for the West Philly BYO scene,” he said. “As for underage drinking, alcohol will find its way to students one way or the other. Proximity doesn’t matter in those situations.”

College junior Alison Block agreed. “Students are going to get their liquor one way or another, whether it means walking to 49th and Baltimore or making a quick run to the one on 19th and Chestnut after having lunch downtown,” she said. “This just makes it even easier. But if the prices at this new location are higher because of convenience, I’d probably still go downtown.”

Another College junior who chose to remain anonymous thinks this is a convenient location for the student population.

“I think that a lot of students view going into Center City as more of a hassle than walking west, especially when so many upperclassmen live west of 40th anyway,” he said.

However, not everyone is pleased with the decision to open this new store. Muslim residents from Masjid al-Jamia mosque on 43rd and Walnut streets opposed the plan in 2007 due to religious and moral reasons. However, The Zoning Board of Adjustment voted to approve the store, overturning a previous decision to reject the proposal last April.

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