Is it so weird?

Today is President's Day, or Washington's Birthday as it is officially known (but the 3rd Monday in February will never fall on his actual birthday). In honor of this birthday we celebrate by closing banks, the post office, and government offices. The celebration continues with the infamous Presidents' Day Sale. That is, except for the Wine and Liquor stores in Pennsylvania. Here in Indiana PA, they are closed. Since this is a state-run enterprise we don't find it surprising. However, it is a rare case of the state in the business of retail sales. They arguably have no business in retail. Moreover, they are acting counter to the celebration of the holiday: sell something!

As you all know by now I grew up in Ohio. Back in the day we had state-run liquor stores which were even more sterile than the wine and liquor stores in PA. However, Ohio got out of that business. The state realized that all they needed to do was control its sale by liquor retail licensing and taxation. So yeah, we can buy liquor, as well as beer and wine, at many grocery stores and other beverage stores.

I was enjoying a beer here in PA with a new friend who, learning I was from Ohio, said "Ohio is so weird." "Why so?" I inquired. "Well, you can buy beer in convenience stores." I was taken aback that he believed it to be "weird". For someone enjoying beer most people would find it "cool" that you can actually get beer at 7-11 or Sheetz.

My point: PA is weird. It continues to be an odd place for this Ohio boy. As much as I try to find this place quaint or enchanting, I continue to find it a step behind. Let's get with the program, folks: beer at Sheetz and liquor at Martin's. That's the way it should be.