Media
Wine Kiosks: One of These Things is Not Like the Others
Yesterday, Auditor General Jack Wagner released an audit of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board’s wine kiosk program. Following that, PLCB CEO Joe Conti talked with capitol reporters. In the spirit of being “civil,” let me offer a few quotes about the wine kiosks without comment…though for some reason I am thinking of a certain Sesame Street song.
Auditor General Jack Wagner: “We think the wine-kiosk program has failed, and it needs dramatic, radical changes if the program is going to continue to exist.”
PLCB Advisory Committee on Wine kiosk contract: “In light of the approved evaluation criteria and the reasons outlined above, the Evaluation Committee reiterates its recommendation that the Board not enter into contract negotiations with Simple Brands, L.P. for Wine Kiosks.”
Philadelphia Inquirer Editorial Board on wine kiosks: “Rarely before has any government agency so succinctly, thoroughly, and convincingly made the case for its own elimination.”
Wegman’s Grocery Stores, after dropping wine kiosks from all its stores: “We had hoped that our customers would find the kiosks to be a valuable addition to their shopping experience, but that proved not to be the case.”
Former PLCB Chairman Jonathan Newman: “You can’t mimic a privatized industry and what privatized retailers could do, and I think this is a really golden opportunity to allow Pennsylvanians to enjoy wine and spirit sales under a free enterprise.”