Pair Of Norwood Stores Reprimanded For Failed Alcohol Compliance Check

NORWOOD, MA — A pair of Norwood liquor stores have been reprimanded for failing a compliance check conducted by the Norwood Police Department.

The selectmen voted Tuesday to issue verbal reprimands to Cedar Markets and Baystate Wine & Spirits for selling alcohol to underage operatives. The two establishments were the only business to fail the recent check. In the case of Cedar Markets, the clerk looked at the license, but sold alcohol the operative, later saying she misread the license.

Through their attorney Sami Baghdady, the owners of Cedar Markets apologized for the violation.

“They promise to be more vigilant. To get more training and be more vigilant, they are going to take a TIPS course. They will promise you that they will take the TIPS course,” he said.

In both cases, a person under the age of 21 was sent into the store by police to buy alcohol. They were instructed to show their real license only if the clerk requested to see it.

Only hours prior to the failed check, a person at Cedar Markets was turned away after attempting to use a license with a picture that did not match, Baghdady said.

In the case of Baystate, police say the clerk didn’t ask for identification. Store owner Jim Civlinski said that person has been fired and is no longer working at the store.

“When the employee was asked why he did not card the operative, he just said ‘I just blew it, I should have asked, I have no excuses.’ I promise you we will double our efforts and make sure this will never happen again,” Civilinski said.

Det. Richard Giacoppo said he was surprised that Baystate failed the check because they are very proactive, often contacting police when they seize a fake license.

Neitehr store will have their license suspended.