State liquor laws are shutting down a local beer distributor's "family-oriented" cruise-in.

Gary W. Kidd, owner of Greenville Beverage in Hempfield Township, said he has hosted the Classic Car Cruise-in from 6 to 9 p.m. every second and fourth Tuesday in June, July and August for three years. A disc jockey is there to play '50s music to entertain patrons in the parking lot of his Hadley Road business.

Kidd received a letter Friday from the state Liquor Control Board that says he can no longer host the event because under the terms of his license he cannot play music or advertise entertainment.

Apparently someone filed a complaint, Kidd said, adding he got permission from township officials before he started hosting the cruise-in.

The cruise-in is held in conjunction with a "bike night" hosted by the distributor's Hadley Road neighbor Dairy Queen, Kidd said. He said people bring their lawn chairs and socialize.

"It's a real family-oriented event. This is just so foolish," he said.

Hempfield Township Police Chief Bryan Arthur said he does not recall any problems linked to the event.

"To my knowledge, we have not received any complaints about the music or vehicles out there in three years. It has not seemed to create any problems," Arthur said.

Kidd said he contacted local politicians to see if there's any way he can continue to host the cruise-in.

State Rep. Rod Wilt, Sugar Grove Township, R-17th District, said a possible legislative remedy could be creating a temporary entertainment license for which beer distributors could apply. The PLCB would have to approve the applications.

Greenville Beverage has a distribution license to sell alcohol, which restricts what the business can do in terms of promotional events, Wilt said.

Wilt said that Quaker Steak & Lube, for example, is able to attract thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to its Bike Nights in downtown Sharon each summer week because it has a restaurant and entertainment license.

"I feel that it's an undue restraint that he (Gary Kidd) can't have a DJ and a classic car night to promote his business," Wilt said.

Wilt said he plans to present Kidd's concerns to the PLCB when it meets next month.

You can e-mail Herald Staff Writers Kristen Garrett and Tom Fontaine at kgarrett@sharon-herald.com or tfontaine@sharon-herald.com