Public hearing set to discuss potential alcohol sales at convenience store near Kiski Area High School

Apr. 11—Beer could be sold at a convenience store across the street from Kiski Area High School if a request for a liquor license transfer is approved by the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board.

Anna K. Holdings, the transfer applicant, is applying for the license to sell malt and/or brewed alcoholic beverages at the Buy n Fly Exxon at 315 Hyde Park Road.

The convenience store/gas station is across the street from the high school, Kiski Area Intermediate School and the district's administration offices.

Buy n Fly is owned by American Natural, a Sewickley-based specialty grocery and convenience store chain.

The Allegheny Township supervisors are set to hold a public hearing Tuesday in the township municipal building that is required by the state Liquor Control Board.

After the hearing, supervisors will have 45 days to make a decision, according to Township Manager Greg Primm.

Challenges to a liquor license can be made the business selling alcohol would be within 500 feet of residences,schools, hospitals, churches, charitable institutions and within 300 feet of public parks with playground equipment for children.

Freeport Area School District appealed the state LCB's decision in 2017 to allow beer sales at a Sheetz location in Buffalo Township because it was less than 300 feet from the high school football stadium.

The LCB decided to approve the transfer despite objections from the district.

Kiski Area School District Superintendent Misty Slavic said Monday she was aware of the license request but did not say whether anyone from the school board or administration would attend the hearing.

"The board will be discussing it on Wednesday (the next school board meeting)," Slavic said. "We have not discussed that yet. It depends on the school board's decision of whether they want to take action or not."

Primm said the transfer would be of a liquor license from Monike Inc. of Delmont, owned by Monica Meehan, the last owner of the former Spaghetti & Steakhouse at 6371 Route 22 in Murrysville.

Fire destroyed the landmark restaurant in May 2021.

Meehan could not be reached for comment.

The cost of the license transfer is unknown.

"Any cost associated with the license is proprietary between the parties completing the transaction," Primm said.

Under Pennsylvania law, Allegheny Township supervisors first must approve the proposed license transfer before the LCB decides whether to approve the transfer under applicable regulations.

Shawn Kelly, spokesman for the LCB, said if township supervisors do not approve the request, the potential licensee could appeal the decision. It would then go before a county judge.

Kelly said, in his nine years working for the LCB, he occasionally has seen requests denied.

"Just because a business is near a restrictive institution, it does not mean the licensee will not be approved," Kelly said. "The LCB has the discretion to approve or deny a license."

More information on alcoholic beverage licenses can be found at lcb.pa.gov.

Joyce Hanz is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Joyce by email at jhanz@triblive.com or via Twitter .