Franco's, East River Package Store, Madison Wine Exchange Referred To Liquor Control Commission

The Department of Consumer Protection is releasing the results of recent alcohol compliance checks undertaken by the Division of Liquor Control in cooperation with local police departments.

On June 9, 2012 Liquor Control agents and officers from the Madison Police Department partnered with the Governor’s Prevention Partnership to conduct compliance checks of all package stores and grocery stores licensed to sell beer in the town of Madison.  Nine (9) package stores and grocery stores were tested for compliance; it is alleged that three (3) of the nine stores failed by selling to a minor.  The three stores that allegedly failed are:

• Franco’s Wine and Liquor, 44 Boston Post Road, Madison
• Madison Wine Exchange, 188 Boston Post Road, Madison
• East River Package, 270 Boston Post Road, Madison

Owners of both stores, in March 2011, said they would do their best to make sure it did not happen again.

The following establishments also were inspected in Madison during the June 2012 compliance check and no violations were found:

• North Madison Wine, 518 Old Toll Road
• Robert’s Food Center, 514 Old Toll Road
• Spirits of Madison, 142 Samson Rock Road
• Stop & Shop, 136 Samson Rock Road
• Madison Wine Shop, 734 Boston Post Road
• Hammonasset Package Store, 1333 Boston Post Road

On June 16, 2012, agents from the Liquor Control Division and the Resident Trooper’s Office in Jewett City partnered with the Governor’s Prevention Partnership to conduct compliance checks in the towns of Jewett City, Griswold and Voluntown, Connecticut. Eight (8) package stores and grocery stores were tested for compliance, and it is alleged that one (1) store failed by selling to a minor.  The store is

• Bestway Food Mart, 207-211 North Main Street, Jewett City

Volunteer minors trained by the Governor's Prevention Partnership, worked with enforcement officers and assisted in the operation by entering each store and attempting to purchase beer or liquor.

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 Madison Police Department, the Resident State Trooper’s Office in Jewett City 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.