Pennsylvania closes liquor store that sits atop unstable mine in Monroeville

Monroeville's Fine Wine and Good Spirits at 3845 Northern Pike closed Dec. 20 because the building had structural issues caused by an unstable mine below it, the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board said in a news release.

The agency that regulates the distribution of alcohol in the state said it is looking to acquire space for a temporary store in the same area until a permanent solution is found.

The closing was one week after the shopping plaza, which houses the liquor store, a Five Guys restaurant and a dental practice, closed temporarily when the building was deemed unsafe by Monroeville officials. The businesses were cleared to reopen by Dec. 16 by an engineering firm hired by the building's owner, Cozza Enterprises LLC.

The state last week announced it was launching an emergency project to stabilize the ground under the building by filling the unstable mine with cement. Work on that project is expected to start early next year.

Craig Cozza, owner of Cozza Enterprises, said the other businesses remain open and he doesn't expect them to close.

The state has another Monroeville store at 4524 Broadway Blvd.

Visit FineWineAndGoodSpirits.com for details.

Dillon Carr is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 412-871-2325, dcarr@tribweb.com or via Twitter @dillonswriting.