ALBANY – Several businesses in the northern end of Chautauqua County were hit with charges of selling alcohol to minors during the three-month sweep by the State Liquor Authority and the Department of Motor Vehicles to combat underage drinking.
During this enforcement effort in the months of August, September and October, SLA sent underage decoys to 506 establishments, citing 141 for illegal sales to minors. In addition, DMV investigators arrested 271 people under the age of 21 attempting to use false identification to purchase alcohol.
During this enforcement effort in the months of August, September and October, SLA sent underage decoys to 506 establishments, citing 141 for illegal sales to minors. In addition, DMV investigators arrested 271 people under the age of 21 attempting to use false identification to purchase alcohol.
Charged with allegedly selling alcohol to minors locally were:
- Country Fair Store, 10358 Bennett Road, Fredonia
- Caves Food Center, 35 Main Street, Forestville
- Big Ricks One Stop, 327 Lake Shore Drive E., Dunkirk
- Save A Lot, 1364 Route 20, Silver Creek,
- Mazza Chautauqua Cellars, 8398 West Route 20, Westfield,
- Quincey Cellars, 10606 West Main Road, Ripley,
- Kettle & Keg, 243 Lake Shore Drive E., Dunkirk,
- Spike Daileys, 18 Central Avenue, Dunkirk,
- When Pigs Fly Bbq Pit, 8254 1st Street, Westfield,
- T W Biggins Wine & Spirits, 47 East Main Street, Westfield.
There were a combined 24 arrests for using a fake idea at Old Main Inn, Sunny’s Bar and Muldoons, all of Fredonia.
“Underage drinking can lead to bad decisions and dangerous situations that can have lifelong consequences or needless tragedy,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. “Through on-going enforcement efforts, we will continue to crack down on this dangerous behavior and target businesses that break the law by selling to minors and underage adults.”
During the investigations, SLA investigators entered the licensed premises separately from the undercover minor to observe and verify when illegal transactions occurred. Licensees charged by the SLA with underage sales face civil penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, with fines starting from $2,500 to $3,000 for a first-time offense. Repeat offenders also face potential suspension or revocation of their licenses.