Associated Press - November 19, 2009 9:45 AM ET

MONROEVILLE, Pa. (AP) - The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board has approved liquor licenses so six more Giant Eagle supermarkets can sell beer in western Pennsylvania.

The O'Hara Township-based supermarket chain started selling beer at its new Market District store in Robinson Township earlier this month. That is the first Pittsburgh-area supermarket to sell beer. A store in South Strabane, Washington County, already has a license, and will sell beer later this month.

The six additional stores approved for licenses Wednesday include five near Pittsburgh and one near Erie. They'll all start selling beer Dec. 18 subject to LCB inspections.

The Pittsburgh-area stores are in Homestead, Monroeville, Pine Township, West Mifflin and West View. The Erie-area store is in Harborcreek.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.