CLAYSBURG – When Sheetz Inc. announced that one of its Altoona stores would sell alcohol beginning Thursday, several reporters at the press conference asked what was being done to quell some public outcry in opposition to the sales.
Stan Sheetz, president and CEO of Sheetz Inc., was ready with an answer: Responsible Alcohol Management Program training and Training for Intervention ProcedureS classes for all employees who will work in the new location.
During the class, taught by Tara Paster, Sheetz employees learned everything from the basics of who should not be sold alcohol (Visibly Intoxicated People and minors) to how to keep an eye out for suspicious behavior such as an older customer purchasing alcohol for a minor.
This, Paster said, was part of Sheetz’ commitment of Total Customer Focus and one of upholding the state’s law.
“Responsible alcohol service is all about the community.”
And the rules Sheetz has set out are hard and fast. If an employee sells to a so-called VIP or a minor, they are terminated — immediately.
Those rules are OK with one of the family-owned chain’s newest employees, Tabitha Piper. She started working at the Valley View Boulevard location of Sheetz on Tuesday.
She said she already knew many of the laws concerning the sale of alcohol because she has family in the hospitality industry.
Piper said that while she doesn’t drink, she believes her customers will appreciate the convenience.
“If they want to get something to eat, they can get their beer at the store without having to go to a beer distributor.”
Piper said this convenience is one she thinks patrons at other Sheetz stores would enjoy.
“Our goal is to help our customers.”
During a press conference Thursday, Sheetz said that while he is not ruling out the possiblity of selling beer and malt beverages at other stores, the process to obtain a license to sell the products is difficult.
