Pennsylvania Liquor Stores Closed In Hurricane Sandy's Wake, Across State Lines Shops Are Open

Shut-in Pennsylvanians hoping for some liquid courage to help face the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy had little luck Tuesday--all liquor stores in the state were closed due to the storm.

According to the Philadelphia Daily News, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board ordered the shut down Tuesday afternoon of its more than 600 stores Tuesday, leaving thirsty Keystone staters on the hunt.

For many, that meant a quick trip across state lines, to the friendly open arms of liquor stores in Delaware and New Jersey.

York Dispatch reports that stores will reopen on Wednesday, however.

Pennsylvania's Liquor Control Board has a tight monopoly over the state's wine and liquor business. According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pennsylvania maintains one of the tightest, most restrictive liquor-control systems in America.

Pennsylvania Gov. Corbett and House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), have been pushing to modernize the state's liquor laws, some of which date back to the end of Prohibition, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer.

And according to industry lobbying group the Common Wealth Foundation, an online poll of Philadelphians found more than 81 percent of respondents would rather illegally buy their liquor across state lines--a practice known as bootlegging--than be subject to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board price hikes.