UPDATED: Four Hamden Stores Charged With Selling Alcohol to Minors

Update, 9/12 2:30 p.m.:

The state Department of Consumer Protection has confirmed the Meadowbrook Spirits did not sell to a minor. It released this statement today:

"Yesterday’s press release from the Department of Consumer Protection erroneously reported that  Meadowbrook Spirits failed last Friday’s compliance check by allegedly selling alcohol to a youth volunteer during  the undercover operation.  Upon verifying the facts with our agents, we have learned that we made a mistake.  The summary report we used to prepare the press release was incorrect. Actually, no sale was made by Meadowbrook Spirits to the youth volunteer and the owner did in fact ask for ID.   Meadowbrook Spirits has passed – not failed -- the compliance check. 

We apologize for our error. "

Update 9:11 4 p.m.:

Editor's Note: Meadowbrook Spirits owner Alex Patel has contacted Hamden Patch to say that his business did not fail the compliance check Friday.

"We have never been busted selling alcohol to a minor," he said. "We try really hard to keep a good name in our community."

State Department of Consumer Protection spokeswoman Claudette Carveth  said her office stands behind the information.

Five Hamden liquor and grocery stores failed Department of Consumer Protection Liqor Control Division compliance checks last Friday and will now have to appear before the state Liquor Commission.

The checks were conducted at 25 stores, where an underage youth trained and provided by the Governor's Prevention Partnership entered each store and tried to purchase alochol.

At 20 of those stores, the youth was denied, but at five they were successfully able to complete the purchase.

The stores which allegedly failed are:

• , 3300 Whitney Avenue
• Cork & Barrel, 1648 Whitney Avenue
• Snack Plus II, 75 Putnam Avenue
• 2644 State Street

“Compliance operations are consistently useful in helping us identify licensed or permitted locations that are selling alcoholic beverages to minors,” Consumer Protection Commissioner William M. Rubenstein said.

But the compliance checks are not intended to hurt local businesses, he said.

“We don’t try to trick or entice establishments to sell alcoholic beverages to youth,” Rubenstein said. “If asked their age before making a liquor purchase, volunteer youths hand over their actual ID, and tell their true age. Our goal is to find businesses that sell to minors and bring them into compliance with state liquor laws.” 

The five businesses cited in last Friday’s compliance check are charged with allegedly selling liquor to a minor and will appear before the Liquor Control Commission for an administrative hearing, at which time the charges will be addressed.

“Partnering with state and local law enforcement on these checks benefits everyone involved,” Rubenstein said. “I want to express our sincere thanks to the Hamden Police Department for their continuing efforts to reduce underage drinking within their community.”