HARTFORD, May 5 -- The Department of Consumer Protection announced today the results of a series of compliance checks conducted in Stratford on Saturday, May 3^rd.  That day, agents from the Liquor Control Division and Stratford Police detectives and officers conducted compliance checks of twenty-seven (27) grocery stores and package stores in that town, assisted by two (2) minors who had been trained and provided by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership.

Of the 27 stores tested for compliance, it is alleged that one failed by allegedly selling alcoholic liquor to one of the two minors. The store that allegedly failed is South Main Street Package Store, 1065 Main Street, Stratford.

“These statewide, ongoing compliance operations are consistently useful in helping us to identify permitted locations that are selling alcoholic beverages to minors,” Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said. He added that the compliance checks are not intended to hurt local businesses.

“Our goal is to find businesses that sell to minors and bring them into compliance with state liquor laws,” Rubenstein said.  “With colleges going on extended break soon, and summer holidays right on our doorstep, we expect that all liquor permittees will step up their vigilance to ensure that they do not sell alcoholic liquor to underage persons.”

Commissioner Rubenstein thanked Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour, Captain Paul DosSantos and the men and women of the Stratford Police Department for assisting the agency in this effort, and offered appreciation to the Governor’s Prevention Partnership for its ongoing support.

The store that is alleged to have sold alcoholic liquor to a minor may be scheduled for an administrative hearing before the Liquor Control Commission, at which time it will have the opportunity to address the charge.

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