In some ways my state is really provincial. In the past I haven’t had any real beef with our antiquated liquor store system, which is run by the state. You buy beer at a beer distributor, or a small amount at a deli-type store. In recent years the amazing innovation is that you can now buy beer and wine at one specific chain of grocery stores - Giant Eagle. How this is fair to other grocery stores, I don’t know. You also have to have your driver’s license scanned with every purchase of alcohol at Giant Eagle.

But spirits are sold only at state stores, which are called “Wine And Spirits,” or “Fine Wine And Good Spirits.” That’s it. You have to go to those places. There aren’t that many of them, either.

Of course I'm not talking about being served drinks at a bar or restaurant. No, buying a bottle.

The only one in my town (pop. 28,000+) is now closed because the building is collapsing at one corner from mine subsidence. The next closest one on the map is located in a rather poor area in the next town, where I lived for a few years and hope not to return. I tried driving down the main street but couldn’t see anything at all, streets terribly dark, and soon gave up and went to the next closest store, which was a good piece away in the opposite direction. Finally I got my brandy.

In movies they have liquor stores on every city block and lots of suburban grocery stores where you can buy a bottle of vodka. How close are they to most people, really? Say, if you live in the suburbs?