Canton deli adds wine to menu
Corey DiGiovanni and his father, Dan DiGiovanni, co-owners of Countryside Deli on Henderson Avenue in Canton Township, stand next to their first state-authorized wine display. Renovations are underway to expand the wine and dining area.
Corey DiGiovanni of Countryside Deli displays a letter from the state authorizing the store to sell wine.
On a list of more than 80 Pennsylvania businesses, Canton Township’s Countryside Deli is the only “mom-and-pop” store in Washington County to receive an expanded permit from the state last week allowing the sale of wine.
“We’re really excited about it,” said Countryside owner Corey DiGiovanni.
The Henderson Avenue deli caters and sells groceries, hot food and sandwiches to go, desserts and six packs of beer.
Opened by DiGiovanni and his father, Dan, in December 2014, the unique layout and goods made for an easy transition to wine sales. With 3,500 square feet among two adjoining rooms, the place was equipped to handle the state Liquor Control Board’s requirements of a separate entrance, space and cash register for wine sales.
DiGiovanni had to make those changes when he began selling beer in May.
“It was painful then, but I’m glad we went through it,” he said.
DiGiovanni, a Washington area native, is “cautiously optimistic” about the deli’s new offering.
“I’m not sure what the impact will be. I think for big supermarkets, it’s huge. For us, I just don’t know. It’s convenient if you’re already here buying dinner and want to grab a bottle,” he said. “I’m sure over time, more places will get permits. I just hope people support local businesses.”
His plan with wine sales is similar to that of beer sales. The store will continue to offer middle to high-end selections as well as unique and local wines not available at state stores.
“We’re always going to be food first and beer (and wine) second. We’re not a bar. We’ll remain family-friendly,” DiGiovanni said.
The expanded permit allows businesses holding restaurant or hotel liquor licenses to sell up to three liters of wine per transaction. Sales of wine-to-go are permitted until 11 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and on Sundays if the holder holds a Sunday sales permit. The application is $2,000 plus an annual renewal fee of two percent of the cost of wine purchased. Sales must be handled by cashiers who are at least 18 years old and have received training from the PLCB on responsible alcohol management.
State liquor stores were previously the only entities allowed to sell wine since the constitutional ban from 1920 to 1933.
Giant Eagle began selling wine Friday in its Robinson Township store. Five locations in Washington County – South Strabane Township, Monongahela, Finleyville and two sites in Peters Township – received licenses last week. A spokesperson said timing for those stores to begin offering wine have not been finalized.
DiGiovanni anticipates Countryside, which has a few bottles on display now, will begin offering wine on a broader scale later this month.
“We’ll have as many kinds that we can squeeze in the door,” he said. “We want to give people a nice offering.”