PLCB Accepting Bids for 16th Regular Auction of Expired Restaurant Licenses | Liquor Control Board | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Harrisburg - The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) today issued an invitation for bids for 20 expired restaurant licenses available through its 16th license auction since Act 39 became effective in August 2016.

This auction includes one license in each of the following 20 counties: Adams, Berks, Bucks, Cambria, Carbon, Crawford, Delaware, Greene, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lehigh, Luzerne, Lycoming, Monroe, Montgomery, Northampton, Schuylkill, Snyder, Washington, and Wayne.

Unlike the excess license auction conducted earlier this year, licenses available in this auction cannot be transferred across county lines. They may only be transferred to another municipality within the same county, consistent with applicable laws and regulations.

Bids for this license auction are due by noon Monday, Oct. 5. The 16th auction will again use a sealed bid process. Bids will be opened Thursday, Oct. 8, and auction winners will be determined soon thereafter.

The minimum bid for each license is $25,000, and each bid must be accompanied by a bid surety of $5,000 or 5% of the total bid amount - whichever is higher - to avoid frivolous and underfunded bids.

The highest responsive bidder for each license will win the right to submit an application for the license to the PLCB within six months of auction award. If bid payment is not received within two weeks of auction award, the second-highest bidder will have the opportunity to apply for the license. Bids will be held in escrow by the PLCB, pending approval of the license application.

The Invitation for Bids is available online. Once on the page, scroll down to "Related Solicitation Files" and click the links to view.

Bidders with questions regarding this invitation for bids must submit inquiries via email to [email protected] by noon Thursday, Aug. 27. Questions and answers will be posted to the Department of General Services e-marketplace on Thursday, Sept. 3.

Lists of winning bids from each of the 15 previous auctions are available on the license auction page of the PLCB website.

The PLCB regulates the distribution of beverage alcohol in Pennsylvania, operates Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores statewide, and licenses more than 20,000 alcohol producers, retailers, and handlers. The PLCB also works to reduce and prevent dangerous and underage drinking through partnerships with schools, community groups, and licensees. For more information about the PLCB, visit pa.gov/lcb.

Fine Wine & Good Spirits is Pennsylvania's go-to destination for wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails, as well as in-store tastings and events. With more than 560 stores, 13 licensee service centers and a robust online shopping experience at FWGS.com, Fine Wine & Good Spirits offers a wide selection of products for customers to discover new favorites, find trusted classics, and explore exclusive, limited-release selections. Fine Wine & Good Spirits and the PLCB contribute to the state's economy by returning taxes and profits - nearly $23.5 billion since the agency's inception - to Pennsylvania's General Fund, financing Pennsylvania's schools, health and human services programs, law enforcement, and public safety and community initiatives. The PLCB also provides financial support for the Pennsylvania State Police Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement, the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, other state agencies, and local municipalities across the state.

Every purchase made at a Fine Wine & Good Spirits store or at FWGS.com helps strengthen Pennsylvania, supporting nearly 6,000 employees and more than 2,500 communities across the commonwealth.

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