A citywide sting operation conducted by the State Liquor Authority reveals that Brooklyn alcohol purveyors are pretty loose with the I.D. checks, with 94% of bodegas that were probed ending up selling booze to undercover minors during the April 17 to May 1 investigation.
Of the 74 establishments visited by underage SLA minions, 32 took the bait. Decoys visited 16 Brooklyn outlets, and successfully purchased booze in all but one. Busts were made at one of 15 Bronx stores, five out of 21 Manhattan stores, eight out of 16 Queens stores and three out of six Staten Island stores.
Investigators will continue the sweeps through September, and will hit more than 1,000 businesses before it's through. Those who complete underage sales face penalties up to $10,000 per violation, with fines starting at $2,500 for first time offenders.
“The law is the law, and we will continue do whatever it takes to crack down on underage drinking and hold accountable those who serve alcohol to minors," Governor Andrew Cuomo said in a statement. "Our message is simple: If you put children at risk by placing alcohol in their hands, you will face the consequences.”
Here are the victims of the first sweep:
Brooklyn
· 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
Manhattan
· Uncle Johnny Grocery Corp., 55-57 Avenue D
· Loma Deli Market Inc., 133 Avenue D
· Avenue C Food Corp., 185 Avenue C, Store 2
· Yankee Two Deli Inc., 122 Avenue C
· Loisaida Ave Deli Corp., 301 East 4th Street
Queens
· WooYong Corp., 48-02 Broadway, Astoria
· Vitality & Health Inc., 46-03 Broadway, Astoria
· Cruz Mexican Products Inc., 32-11 41st Street, Long Island City
· Green Leaf Deli & Mini Mart, Broadway Café, 41-09 Broadway, Astoria
· Parsons Convenience Store Inc., 79-24 Parsons Boulevard, Flushing
· Parsons Wine & Liquor Inc.,75-09 Parsons Boulevard, Flushing
· R & H Food Corp., Amy’s Deli, 71-06 Kissena Boulevard, Flushing
· P & M Convenience Store Inc.,168-21 Union Turnpike, Flushing
Staten Island
· Abounaji Deli & Grocery, 87 Victory Boulevard
· Cesar’s Deli & Grocery, 111 Victory Boulevard
· Staten Convenient Food Market, 164 Victory Boulevard
