Applying for a liquor license in Philadelphia, PA involves a multi-step process overseen by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) Bureau of Licensing. There are four ways to obtain a license: through the issuing of a new license, the approval of a person-to-person transfer, the approval of a place-to-place transfer, or the approval of a double transfer (person to person and place to place). Each method has its own specific requirements and conditions. For instance, a new license may be limited by a statutory quota, while a person-to-person transfer is valid only in cases of a change of ownership. You can apply for a license at the PLCB website.
The application process is more than just an online request. The PLCB Bureau of Licensing conducts a thorough investigation to determine your eligibility. You need to prepare certain documents in advance for review by the PLCB investigator. These include identification, residence and employment information for the past five years, and naturalization papers or alien ID if applicable. For the premises to be licensed, you need to provide the correct physical and mailing address information, current property owner/lessor name, address and contact information, documentation to verify the corporate/business structure of the property landlord, current health license, and lease between current property owner and applicant/applicant entity if applicable. Financial documents are also required. For more details, refer to the PLCB's official applicant/licensee requirements document.
To sell wine for off-premises consumption, you first need to obtain a Restaurant (R) Liquor License. This can be done either by completing an application form at PLCB+, the Philadelphia Liquor Control Board's Online Regulatory Portal, or by obtaining a license through the transfer of an existing license from a current license holder. Once your restaurant license is approved, you can apply for a Wine Expanded Permit. The cost for this permit is $2,000. The Expanded Wine Permit requires certification through the Responsible Alcohol Management Program (RAMP). For more information, you can contact the Eastern Regional Office at 140 W. Germantown Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA, 19462-1421, Phone: 610-940-1200, Fax: 610-940-1211.
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