City Council again targets sales of liquor by the drink at corner shops

During budget hearings with members of the city’s health department, several members of Philadelphia City Council expressed their displeasure over continuing sales of liquor at “stop and go” shops.

They pushed for action, even though the department does not have direct power over regulating the way  alcohol is served and sold.

Councilwoman Maria Quiñones-Sánchez told Health Commissioner Dr Thomas Farley the city needs to find a way to crack down on corner delis selling alcohol by the drink.

“We have open containers [without refrigeration] … no one is regulating that,” she said. “It would seem to us that you can say, ‘You cannot have open containers unrefrigerated, period.”

Councilwoman Cindy Bass also pressed for a more aggressive approach.

Farley said there is nothing the health department can do to stop the sales when the establishment has an alcohol license.  

Something has to be done, Quiñones-Sánchez insisted. She called on the health department to find a regulation it can enforce.