Department Releases Results of Liquor Compliance Checks in Stratford

12/10/2013

HARTFORD, December 10 – The Department of Consumer Protection is releasing today the results of an undercover compliance operation it conducted over the weekend in Stratford.

On Saturday, December 7^th, agents from the Department of Consumer Protection Liquor Control Division and officers from the Stratford Police Department conducted a series of compliance checks of package stores and grocery stores that sell beer in the Town of Stratford. Two volunteer youths were trained and provided by the Governor’s Prevention Partnership to assist in the operation, by entering each store and attempting to purchase beer or liquor.

Twenty-eight (28) stores were tested for compliance. Of these, five (5) failed by allegedly selling alcoholic liquor to one of the minors.

The stores which allegedly did not pass are:

Hilltop Food Market, 1081 Huntington Road
7-Eleven, 3621 Main Street
Stratford Food Center, 11 Woodend Road
Shoprite of Stratford, 250 Barnum Avenue Cutoff
Stratford & Surf Beverages, 1980 Stratford Avenue

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. If asked for proof of age before making a liquor purchase, the volunteer youth provide their actual photo identifications, which clearly indicate that they are underage.

Commissioner William M. Rubenstein thanked Police Chief Patrick Ridenhour and the

Stratford Police Department for their assistance on the local compliance 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.

-end-

Media Contact: Claudette Carveth

Claudette.carveth@ct.gov

860-713-6022