Sheetz

Altoona-based Sheetz stores have pushed to sell beer in stores including their new store scheduled to open July 17 in Shippensburg. This photo was taken at the Swatara Twp. Sheetz along Derry Street. Christine Baker | cbaker@pennlive.com

(Christine Baker | cbaker@pennlive.com)

Sheetz has been approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to sell beer at a new store in Shippensburg.

On Wednesday, the LCB approved the license for the Sheetz store at 359 E. King St. It will be the first convenience store in central Pennsylvania to sell beer.

The store opens Thursday but shoppers will not find beer for sale on opening day, said Gary Zimmerman, assistant vice president and legal counsel for Sheetz.

He said it could take several weeks, pending an on-site inspection by the LCB. The board's decision also can be appealed.

Sheetz has invested more than two years in its fight to sell beer at the store. It has faced opposition from citizens, Shippensburg borough police chief and groups such as the Malt Beverage Distributors Association of Pennsylvania.

"We understand some of these decisions are not easy," Zimmerman said. "For us, it's about providing customers a place to get what they want, and they have overwhelmingly told us they want to buy it in safe and convenient locations. It's all about the consumers."

Zimmerman said the store will sell more than 90 beer products including domestic, import and craft beers. The store will have two separate sides – one dedicated to the restaurant with beer sales and the other side the convenience store.

Every shopper who purchases beer will be carded and their driver's licenses swiped through the cash registers for validation, Zimmerman said.

Sheetz already sells beer in one of its Altoona stores. Zimmerman said the chain is considering selling beer in a second location in Altoona.