PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Following a letter from Gov. Tom Wolf urging action, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has instructed employees at its Fine Wine & Good Spirits stores to remove Russian-sourced products from shelves, as a show of solidarity with Ukraine.
In a letter, Wolf said the PLCB had already identified the products, such as Russian Standard and Ustianochka 80-proof vodkas, making it a matter of removing them from store shelves.
The PLCB said in a statement that while there are many Russian-themed products they sell, few of their products were actually Russian-made. They are removing the aforementioned brands, in addition to Special Order brands from Russia.
"As of today, these products will no longer be sold or procured by the PLCB," said PLCB chairman Tim Holden. "Given the evolving political-economic climate, it’s just the right thing to do."
The executive director of the Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association, Chuck Moran, responded to Wolf's letter in support.
At a Fine Wine & Good Spirits location in the Art Museum area, shopper Janet told KYW Newsradio she supports the decision as well.
"It sends a message that the people of Pennsylvania are not going to support what the Russians are doing and support their industries that are supporting Putin," she said.
Other customers like Mike Covington said there are plenty of distilleries in America that make high quality spirits, including right here in the Philadelphia region.
"If you want to drink vodka, you got [Austin, Texas-based] Tito's. I think there is a Stateside Vodka [from Philly] they sell in there too," said Covington.
Other popular brands distilled in Pennsylvania include Faber, Bluebird Distillery, and Holla Spirits.
KYW Newsradio's Allie Amato and Andre Bennett contributed to this story.
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