The Rochester, N.Y., chain said that if anything, the state's latest attempt at user-friendly wine sales had backfired. A letter from Wegmans to the LCB complained that the machines often malfunctioned, leading to a "significant volume" of customer complaints.
"The kiosks have not realized their potential, and in some ways have been detrimental to our stores," the letter stated.
Wegmans markets house 10 of the liquor board's 32 kiosks statewide; those 10 include stores in Warrington, Downingtown, and Easton. The chain's decision to pull out of the program wipes out almost 32 percent of the agency's operating machines.
Stacey Witalec, spokeswoman for the LCB, said the board was disappointed by Wegmans' action - but she stressed that the kiosk program would continue. She said the agency was in talks with Wal-Mart to put the wine machines in 24 of its stores.
Witalec also said she did not believe Wegmans' decision amounted to a condemnation of the kiosk idea as a whole, adding that the board was focused on making its remaining 22 kiosks successful.
The LCB's plan, however, to stock some of the kiosks with hard liquor as well as wine has been temporarily stalled because some legislators voiced concerns.
"Our focus is the customer," Witalec said. "We want to make sure we are doing things that people will embrace."
Still, the Wegmans news could hardly have come at a worse time for the LCB.
Gov. Corbett has made no secret of his desire to privatize the state's wine and liquor stores. Recent polls show a majority of Pennsylvanians agree with him. His office is working with House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) on a proposal. There is no bill yet, but Turzai has said he expects to see legislation by summer.
In the meantime, the LCB hasn't sat idly by.
