SOUTH ABINGTON TOWNSHIP, PA — A state liquor store in Lackawanna County, damaged by flash flooding in September, is reopening.
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) announced Monday that the Fine Wine & Good Spirits store on Route 11, Northern Boulevard, near Clarks Summit, reopened to the public. Store hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
The store was damaged by flash flooding on Saturday, September 9, when heavy rain inundated that part of Lackawanna County.
Customers have been patiently waiting for the store's return.
"I've been driving by several times, pulling in here to see when the closed sign would be down," Bob Breuche said.
"We're so happy it's open again. It's the best fine wine store around," Diane Fitzpatrick said.
Spokesperson Shawn Kelly says closing the store was a must because of the damage.
"There was water partway up the walls on some of the shelves. It had damaged or destroyed some of the bottles, so we really needed to do a lot of work to get the doors open again," Kelly said.
Areas of Scranton and the Abingtons were hit by several inches of rain in a short time. Two people died after their vehicle was swamped in heavy runoff from the storm.
Diane Fitzpatrick lives in Dalton and knows first-hand how the flooding affected so many in the area.
"I had three inches of water, but my neighbor had three feet. So, it was just a matter of luck, basically, but it was a very sad time."
The reopening couldn't have come at a better time as we get closer to the holiday season.
"The day before Thanksgiving is one of our busiest shopping days of the year," Kelly added. "Going into the holiday season with Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year's—incredibly busy time of year.
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