(a) The board shall establish, operate and maintain at such places throughout the Commonwealth as it shall deem essential and advisable, stores to be known as “Pennsylvania Liquor Stores,” for the sale of liquor and alcohol in accordance with the provisions of and the regulations made under this act; except that no store not so already located shall be located within three hundred feet of any elementary or secondary school, nor within a dry municipality without there first having been a referendum approving such location. When the board shall have determined upon the location of a liquor store in any municipality, it shall give notice of such location by public advertisement in two newspapers of general circulation. In cities of the first class, the location shall also be posted for a period of at least fifteen days following its determination by the board as required in section 403(g) of this act.¹ The notice shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the outside of the premises in which the proposed store is to operate or, in the event that a new structure is to be built in a similarly visible location. If, within five days after the appearance of such advertisement, or of the last day upon which the notice was posted, fifteen or more taxpayers residing within a quarter of a mile of such location, or the City Solicitor of the city of the first class, shall file a protest with the court of common pleas of the county averring that the location is objectionable because of its proximity to a church, a school, or to private residences, the court shall forthwith hold a hearing affording an opportunity to the protestants and to the board to present evidence. The court shall render its decision immediately upon the conclusion of the testimony and from the decision there shall be no appeal. If the court shall determine that the proposed location is undesirable for the reasons set forth in the protest, the board shall abandon it and find another location. The board may establish, operate and maintain such establishments for storing and testing liquors as it shall deem expedient to carry out its powers and duties under this act.

(b) The board may lease the necessary premises for such stores or establishments, but all such leases shall be made through the Department of General Services as agent of the board. The board, through the Department of General Services, shall have authority to purchase such equipment and appointments as may be required in the operation of such stores or establishments.