Allegheny Township loses Big Boy Beer but a replacement is in the works

Big Boys Beer in Allegheny Township has closed — for now.

The exclusively drive-in, full-service beer distributor located at 5743 Leechburg Road closed the day before Thanksgiving, said owner Gary Borello of Vandergrift.

It’s the second beer distributor to close in the Leechburg area within the last two months, on the heels of Gilpin’s B&L Beverages’ abrupt closing.

The distributor locations are within 3 miles of each other.

“I did retire and I want to spend more time with my family,” Borello said on his decision to close Big Boys. “I will miss my customers and would like to thank them for their business.”

Borello bought the distributor license from Big Boys, a business originally started by brothers Jay and Corey Snyder about six years ago, keeping its original name.

The Snyders own the building next door to their family-owned Bonfire Restaurant and plan to lease to a new party.

Borello said he is letting a state Liquor Control Board broker handle the license sale and declined to provide the asking price.

“We have had a lot of interest with Big Boys, and it will open again in the coming months,” landlord Jay Snyder said.

Both men said the liquor license sale could take “several months” due to paperwork.

Beer distributor licenses can sell for varying amounts, anywhere from a modest $25,000 to upward of $400,000, according to Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board press secretary Shawn Kelly.

When asked if beer sales had decreased at mom-and-pop distributors statewide due to an uptick in big-box stores such as Sheetz, Get-Go and Giant Eagle now selling beer, Kelly said the data isn’t there.

“The LCB does not track sales of malt and brewed beverages in Pennsylvania,” Kelly said.

Gary Borello said he didn’t stock six- and 12-packs at Big Boys — only cases of beer — because he couldn’t return the small units for a store credit.

“I could have been stuck with inventory and lose money with those, but I could return cases of beer,” he said.

Giant Eagle in Allegheny Township sells six- and 12-packs of beer, along with singles, and is located less than 3 miles from both B&L Beverages and Big Boys.

Under state regulations, convenience and grocery stores are not permitted to sell beer by the case.

Joyce Hanz is a freelance writer.