Cranberry Costco Could Be PA's First One To Sell Alcohol

CRANBERRY TOWNSHIP, PA — No Costco warehouse retailer in Pennsylvania currently sells alcohol but that soon could change.

The Cranberry Costco is attempting to obtain the liquor license formerly held by the former Houlihan's in the township, according to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board online documents.

The license is similar to the ones chains such as Giant Eagle and Sheets have acquired. The licenses mandate cafe seating and separate cash registers to sell wine and beer.

The attempted license transfer could be seen as an attempt for Costco to get ahead of new competition coming to Cranberry. Wegmans is developing a 110,000-square-foot store in Cranberry on 12 acres of land on Cool Springs Drive next to the UPMC Lemieux Sports Complex; many of its stores in other parts of the state sell alcohol.

Additionally, Meijer is planning to buld a 159,000-square-foot supercenter in the township at the corner of Route 228 and Franklin Road near North Catholic High School. Meijer warehouses typically sell beer and wine as well.