June 17, 2014

State Liquor Control Authorities Release Results of Weekend Compliance Checks in Enfield

HARTFORD, June 17  – On the evening of Saturday, June 14^th, the Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Division and officers from the  Enfield Police Department conducted undercover compliance checks of nineteen (19) restaurants and bars in the town of Enfield. Taking part in these checks were two volunteer youths trained and provided by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.

Of the 19 establishments tested for compliance, it is alleged that seven (7) failed by selling alcoholic liquor to a minor. The seven establishments that allegedly failed are:

·         Frankie's Firehouse Restaurant

·         Back Yard Bar & Grill

·         Longhorn Steak House

·         Acapulco’s Mexican Family Restaurant

·         Outback

·         99 Restaurant

·         Lulu’s Pizzeria & Family Restaurant

Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said that routine compliance checks help the agency 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, he added.

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

The Commissioner thanked Police Chief Carl Sferrazza and the men and women of the Enfield Police Department for their assistance on the compliance operation, and congratulated the local establishments that passed the compliance check.

“A permit to serve alcohol is a privilege, not a right,” Commissioner Rubenstein said. “Permittees are required to comply with the law barring sales to persons under the age of 21, and the Department will continue to work with local law enforcement to improve compliance in Enfield.”

The Department of Consumer Protection, through the State Liquor Control Commission, oversees all sales of liquor in the State of Connecticut. As Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Rubenstein is Chairman of the Liquor Control Commission.

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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