Citing a 1982 statute that amended a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol on some major holidays, Consumer Protection Commissioner Jerry Farrell, Jr. indicated today that package stores may remain open and grocery stores with a beer permit may sell beer this year on the 4th of July.
“As with any major holiday, retailers are placing their orders and formulating their staffing schedules in advance, so we’ve been getting numerous calls asking us to clarify this statute, passed by the state legislature in 1982,” Farrell said. “Public Act 82-33 provides for the sale of liquor on July 4th when it falls on Saturday, so for only the fourth time since 1982, the answer is, liquor can be sold in stores this year on the 4th of July.”
Liquor stores are not required to be open, however.
“The statute allows the stores to open, but the decision is up to each individual store owner whether he or she wishes to open on our national holiday,” Farrell said.
“Given that the Department of Consumer Protection is the licensing agency for the liquor industry in Connecticut, it’s our responsibility to get the proper information out concerning the legality of selling liquor on July 4th this year – along with a reminder to drink responsibly,” Farrell said. “Amid the fun and festivity, safety is of utmost concern, so please don’t drink and drive, don’t sell or serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21, and certainly, don’t allow anyone who has been drinking alcohol to operate any type of fireworks – that’s a recipe for an explosive cocktail.”
