12/10/2020
CONSUMER PROTECTION COMMISSIONER ISSUES SUMMARY SUSPENSION FOR STUDIO 1537 IN HAMDEN
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2020 – Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull has signed a summary suspension of the liquor permit for Café Studio 1537 (LCA.8107), located at 1537 Dixwell Avenue in Hamden.
This suspension stems from a December 9, 2020 referral from the Hamden Police Department to the Department of Consumer Protection’s (DCP) Liquor Control Division regarding events that occurred during the late evening hours of December 4, 2020.
On December 4, Café Studio 1537 was the scene of a large private gathering that violated Governor Ned Lamont’s Executive Orders and corresponding Phase 2.1 Sector Rules, which were implemented in response to the declared COVID-19 public health crisis.
In a letter to John Suchy, Director of the DCP’s Liquor Control Division, Hamden Deputy Chief of Police Bo Kicak reported that Hamden police were dispatched to the premises to investigate a complaint that the business was over capacity. When officers arrived, they found a full parking lot, and inside, a crowded dance floor with approximately 150 people, many of whom were not wearing a mask. Officers observed another 25 to 30 patrons in the bar area in clear violation of social distancing requirements.
At the time of this event, sector rules limited indoor private, social, and recreational gatherings at commercial venues to a maximum of 25 people. Moreover, premises were required to ensure that all patrons practiced social distancing and wore face masks while not eating.
“With COVID-19 infection rates on the rise, the gathering hosted at Studio 1537 is exactly the type of super spreader event the sector rules are designed to prevent,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull. “We expect our liquor permittees to hold public health and safety as their highest priority in order to protect themselves, their employees, their customers and their community. I want to thank the Hamden Police Department and local public health officials for their work and cooperation in this matter.”
A copy of the suspension placard and summary suspension order are attached.
Those with concerns about a liquor permit holder in the State of Connecticut may contact DCP’s Liquor Control Division at (860) 713-6210, or by emailing dcp.liquorcontrol@ct.gov.
- Twitter: DCP on Twitter
- Facebook: DCP on Facebook
Media Contact:
Kaitlyn Krasselt
kaitlyn.krasselt@ct.gov
(860) 713-6019 (office)
(860) 377-0246 (cell)