HARTFORD, June 17 – The Department of Consumer Protection is releasing the results of recent alcohol compliance checks undertaken by the Division of Liquor Control in cooperation with Groton Police.

On Saturday, June 15, agents from the Liquor Control Division and officers from the Groton Town Police and the Groton City Police conducted compliance checks in Groton, including Mystic and Noank. Eighteen (18) grocery stores and package stores were tested for compliance. Of these, five (5) failed by allegedly selling to a volunteer minor who had been trained and provided by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.  The five stores that allegedly failed are:

• Eastern Point Wine and Liquor, Groton
• Bridge Package Store, Groton
• Stop and Shop Supermarket, Groton
• Haley Brook Market, Mystic
• Universal Package Store, Noank

Routine compliance checks help the Department of Consumer Protection to identify businesses that knowingly or unknowingly sell alcohol to minors and bring them back into compliance with state law. However, compliance checks are not intended to hurt local businesses.

“We don’t try to trick or entice establishments to sell alcoholic beverages to youth,” Department of Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said. “If asked for proof of age before making a liquor purchase, the volunteer youth will hand over his or her actual photo I.D., which clearly indicates that they are underage.”

The Commissioner thanked the officers of the Groton Town Police and Groton City Police Departments and the Governor’s Prevention Partnership for their assistance in the operation.

The businesses that allegedly sold to a minor will be brought before the Liquor Control Commission for an administrative hearing, at which time they will have an opportunity to address the charges.

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