Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Limits Store Hours, Cancels In-Store Tastings during 'State Patty's Day' Activities in State College

HARRISBURG, Pa., Feb. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- With growing interest in "State Patty's Day" activities among college students in the State College area this weekend, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board today canceled in-store tasting events and announced early closings at its State College-area stores in an effort to discourage binge and problematic drinking.

"For the past few years, this student-created event has been used as an opportunity to engage in irresponsible consumption of alcohol, especially by those who are underage," said PLCB Chairman Patrick J. "PJ" Stapleton. "Alcohol is the most widely abused substance in America by those under the age of 21 and we have great concern for the health and safety of those planning to participate in State Patty's Day activities.

"During the State Patty's Day weekend, all in-store tastings have been canceled and the four stores in the State College area will close early in an effort to discourage this behavior," Stapleton continued.  

The following stores will close at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26:

• Hills Plaza, 2051 S. Atherton St., State College;
• Hamilton Square Shopping Center, 230 W. Hamilton Ave., State College;
• 1690 N. Atherton St., State College; and
• Benner Pike Shoppes, 323 Benner Pike, State College.

As noted in a recent report, slightly more than half of Pennsylvania college students believe the social atmosphere of their campus promotes alcohol use. Based on this information, Stapleton recognized the PLCB's continued efforts to break the cycle of binge and problematic drinking, and the negative consequences it creates, especially among those who are underage.  

"We hope that in taking these actions and working in close partnership with university officials and police, we will limit the ability of those intending to engage in dangerous behavior to bring harm to themselves or others living in the State College area."  

Media contact: Stacey Witalec or Stacy Kriedeman, 717-783-8864

SOURCE Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board