Monday, June 10, 2013

Local Businesses Cited for Selling Liquor to Minors


On Friday evening, June 7th, agents from the Department of Consumer Protection, Division of Liquor Control partnered with the East Haddam Resident Troopers' Office to conduct compliance checks of area package stores, grocery stores and restaurants in East Haddam and Moodus.

Minors who had been trained and provided by the "Governor's Prevention Partnership" also participated.

A total of nine locations were tested for compliance, with four of them failing by allegedly selling alcoholic beverages to one of the minors.

“Compliance operations help us to identify licensed or permitted locations that are selling alcoholic beverages to minors,” Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said.  “Our goal is to find businesses that sell to minors and bring them into compliance with state liquor laws. If the volunteer youth are asked their age before making a liquor purchase, they will hand over their actual ID, and tell their true age.”

The following businesses were reported as allegedly failing the compliance checks:

  • Fox Hopyard Golf Club
  • La Vita Gustosa
  • Swing Bridge Wine & Spirits
  • The Town Tavern

“We are disappointed that four stores tested in East Haddam allegedly failed the routine compliance check,” Rubenstein said. “Providing alcohol to minors is a serious breach of our permitees’ obligations, and we will take steps to assure that violators modify their procedures in order to comply with State law.”

These establishments are charged with selling liquor to a minor and will be scheduled for an administrative hearing before the Liquor Control Commission, where each will have the opportunity to address the charges.

“We express our thanks to the East Haddam Resident Trooper’s Office for their collaboration, and to the Governor’s Prevention Partnership for its ongoing support,” Rubenstein said.


*Information provided by the Department of Consumer Protection




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