Feb 26, 2024 By Jon Andreassi 2 min read

Though Sam’s Club in South Strabane Township had its liquor license approved by the state Liquor Control Board last April, it is unclear when the business may begin to sell alcoholic beverages.

Sam’s Club initially had its request for a liquor license transfer from Aladdin’s Eatery in Peters Township approved by the South Strabane board of supervisors in September 2021.

Per the minutes of that meeting, the restaurant liquor license allows for on-site consumption of alcohol. However, Sam’s Club stated its intent was to only sell “beer and wine as a convenience for Sam’s Club shoppers,” and would limit on-site consumption.

In 2020, then-Gov. Tom Wolf signed Act 29 into law, which allowed beer and wine sales at a designated cash register with a restaurant liquor license.

According to the database available on the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) website, the license is currently in “safekeeping.” Shawn Kelly, PLCB’s deputy director of communications, explained the meaning of the designation.

“They have the license, but they are not using it at the moment. The license was transferred,” Kelly said.

Kelly added that keeping a license in “safekeeping” helps businesses prevent liquor licenses from expiring when they are not in use.

The next steps for what happens with the Sam’s Club license is a “business decision,” and out of the hands of any government agency, according to Kelly.

Walmart, parent company of Sam’s Club, did not respond to a phone call seeking comment by Friday’s deadline.