Kids & Family

New Canaan Liquor Stores Pass Underage Spot Checks

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New Canaan liquor distributors passed their random spot checks on Friday, Nov. 23, with flying colors, police said this week.

According to Sgt. Carol Ogrincm New Canaan Police working with underage volunteers tested six locations Friday to spot check for the unlawful sale of alcohol to minors. None failed the test, she said, and all results were reported to the Department of Consumer Protection: Liquor Control Division. 

"The goal is not to trick or entice establishments into selling to minors," Ogrinc said, "But rather to bring businesses into compliance with state law."

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The stores tested were:

  • Food Emporium
    288 Elm Street
  • Best Cellars (A&P)
    282 Elm Street
  • Francos Wine Merchants
    130 Elm Street
  • New Canaan Wine Merchants
    36 Pine Street
  • The Red Grape
    12 Burtis Avenue
  • Stewart’s Spirits
    227 Elm Street
According to Ogrinc, officers and trained youth volunteers work together on each compliance check and, in a typical check, a volunteer youth enters a store and tries to buy alcoholic liquor. If asked for proof of age, the youth volunteer will provide his or her true age and valid Connecticut driver’s license or will tell the store employee they do not have their identification with them. If a sale is made, the business fails the test. Youth involved in the undercover operations are typically between 17 and 19 years of age.

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