Sting Operation Exposes Brooklyn As A Haven For Underage Drinkers
Well, this is embarrassing.
According to data from a recent sting operation led by the State Liquor Authority, Brooklyn is apparently a mecca for underage drinking. In fact, our borough came in “first place.”
The news comes via Gothamist: Between April 17 and May 1, the SLA conducted a citywide investigation into the epidemic, targeting 94 bodegas for underage drinking stings. The good-ish(?) news is that only 43 percent of businesses took the bait, but the no-escaping-from-it bad news is that nearly half of the 32 businesses caught red-handed were in Brooklyn. And perhaps the worst news by far is that more mortifying exposures are sure to come since the sting operation is slated to run through September. So, clean up your acts now, Brooklyn bodegas!
If protecting the reputation of our borough isn’t cause enough, maybe the staggering fines will make owners change their tune: Businesses caught selling to minors can be charged as much as $10,000 per violation with first-time offenders facing a minimum $2,500 fine. Scared straight yet?
If not, here’s the full list of Brooklyn-based cautionary tales offenders:
J & J Hooper Grocery, 396 Hooper Street
Mariele Grocery Corp., 380 South 2nd Street
Natalie Grocery Corp., 361 South 4th Street
Cruz Grocery Store, 386 South 5th Street
Broadway Candy & Grocery, 267 Broadway
LB Grocery Store & Deli Corp., 296 Broadway
Williamsburg Organic Food Corp., 153 Havemeyer Street
Jo An Inc., Park Slope Deli, 294 7th Avenue
The Avenue Café Inc., 305 7th Avenue
Prospect Wine Shop LTD., 322 7th Avenue
396 Deli Grocery Inc., 396 7th Avenue
MPM Enterprises Seventh Inc., 402-404 7th Avenue
Seven Eleven Inc., 520 5th Avenue
493 5th Avenue Food Corp., 493 5th Avenue
Primetime Liquors Corp., 427 5th Avenue
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