Wawa's request to sell beer on hold

Weeks of suspense have attended convenience-store giant Wawa's request to sell beer at a Delaware County location.

On Tuesday, the Concord Township Board of Supervisors decided that the suspense would last at least two more weeks.

Just hours before a verdict was due Tuesday, the township announced that no decision would be on tap before the supervisors convene Aug. 4.

Their decision will determine whether Wawa, one of the region's most popular convenience chains, can elbow its way into a beer market long dominated by distributors selling larger quantities.

In June, Wawa Inc. petitioned Concord to begin selling six-packs for carryout at its store on Naamans Creek Road in Chadds Ford.

Concord Township Manager Brenda Lamanna and Wawa spokeswoman Lori Bruce did not respond to calls for comment on why the decision was postponed.

While action by Concord's supervisors would be preliminary - Wawa would still need state permission - approval would be a significant step for a chain that started in the early 20th century as a Delaware County milk-delivery business and expanded to become a round-the-clock one-stop-shopping destination.

If approved, customers would be limited to purchasing two six-packs at a time.

Wawa has maintained it is seeking approval for only the one store, but that if things went well, the chain might "look to expand the offering depending on our experience," Bruce has said.

Wawa counts more than 600 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and Florida - selling beer in the last two states.

In recent decades, to comply with Pennsylvania laws that long restricted beer drinkers to buying either cases or kegs from distributors, or up to two six-packs from bars, supermarkets and convenience stores added "restaurant" components to their locations. Nearly 250 stores across the state have done so.

The eating additions must meet state requirements, including a separate eating space measuring at least 400 square feet and enough seating for 30. Wawa also would have to comply.

In February, Concord's supervisors approved a similar petition by Wegmans to sell beer at a location slated to open in the fall.