Martin General's Request to Sell Beer in Hands of PLCB, not Council

At last month’s meeting of the Williamsburg Borough Council, representatives from Martin General Store asked council to approve an intermunicipal transfer of a restaurant liquor license from Tyrone Borough to its convenience store in Williamsburg.

By a vote of three to two with one abstention, council rejected Martin General’s request, seemingly putting an end to the convenience store’s plan to sell beer in Williamsburg.

However, after reviewing its options, Martin officials discovered that council’s approval for the transfer was not needed and has proceeded with plans to sell alcohol.

According to Williamsburg Mayor Ted Hyle, the borough’s solicitors from Evey Black Law Offices informed council that since there is not an existing restaurant liquor license in Williamsburg, council cannot prevent one from coming in. However, once one is established in the borough, any future requests will need council’s approval.

Currently, Williamsburg has one licensed establishment, Williamsburg Beverage, but that is a distributor license and does not sell food.

Certain standards will have to be met including providing seating for at least 30 and a separate area for beer sales.

Martin General officials told council that they will sell single cans or six packs to go and on-site consumption.

Employees who will be handling alcohol sales will be required to complete the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP) before they can sell alcoholic beverages.

Martin General’s application to transfer a license to Williamsburg is pending approval from the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB). Martin General officials did not respond to a request for comment before press time.