The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP) announced today the results of a series of compliance checks conducted over the weekend to identify stores that would sell alcohol to persons under the legal age of 21.
“Our efforts identified three Wolcott stores and six stores in Stratford that failed our routine compliance check this weekend,” Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell Jr. said today. “These two towns will be included in our statewide training for alcohol retailers that is getting underway this summer.”
On Friday, May 25th, agents from the DCP Liquor Control Division and officers from the Wolcott Police Department checked all eight package stores and grocery stores that sell beer in Wolcott. The three stores that failed the compliance check and face possible administrative action before the Liquor Control Commission are:
– North End Liquor, 1496 Wolcott Road, Wolcott
– Pats IGA, 816 Wolcott Road, Wolcott
– Walsh’s Market, 1786 Meriden Road, Wolcott.
On Saturday, May 26th, a similar compliance check conducted on all 24 package stores and grocery stores that sell been in Stratford identified the following six stores that sold alcoholic liquor to a minor.
– Last Call Wines Liquors, 2524 Main Street, Stratford
– Lordship Wine and Liquor, 60 Access Road, Stratford
– Wines Unlimited, 2336 Broadbridge Avenue, Stratford
– 7-Eleven Store, 3621 Main Street, Stratford
– Cutspring Deli, 4314 Main Street, Stratford
– East Main Deli, 613 East Main Street, Stratford
“These ongoing alcohol compliance checks are designed to identify locations that would sell alcohol to minors; in no way are they an effort to trick or entice establishments into selling to underage patrons,” Farrell said. “Curbing youth access to alcohol is helping to prevent and reduce incidents of underage drinking and its negative consequences.”
The weekend’s compliance efforts were aided by youth volunteers who had been trained and provided by the Connecticut Coalition to Stop Underage Drinking.
The nine establishments are charged with selling liquor to a minor and will be brought before the Liquor Control Commission for an administrative hearing, at which time each will have the opportunity to address the charges.
ct/dcp