Princeton Wine & Liquor Store Receives Two-Day Suspension

Candace Braun

Princeton Wine & Liquor must close their doors for two days in February after being found guilty of selling alcohol to a minor, a violation of state Alcohol Beverage Control regulations.

The violation took place on August 10, when Detective Michael Bender of the Borough Police Department was on watch outside the store, located at 174 Nassau Street, as part of S.U.D.S., a program exercised by the department to stop underage drinking.

Det. Bender observed a 17-year-old male purchasing alcohol from a clerk, Mark Bauer, who had been an employee at the store for 12 years. Det. Bender said that at first, he thought the male patron was over 21, but buying alcohol for two minors. However, afterwards he discovered that he too was a minor, although looked old for his age.

"He was a big guy, a football player at the University," said the detective. "He was questionable even to me and I've been doing this for 14 years."

Calling the store, "the most police-friendly" liquor store in town, Det. Bender asked that Borough Council be lenient on the charges against the store.

Mr. Bauer, who normally works in the stockroom, was not supposed to be running the cash register, said Rosemarie Belmont, who co-owns the store with her husband, Bob. Mr. Bauer pleaded guilty to the charges.

"It is a very difficult job running a liquor store," said Ms. Belmont, adding that the reason the clerk was running the register was because she had briefly left the store. "I accept full responsibility."

Council voted to suspend the store's license on February 16 and 17. The motion passed 5 to 1, with Councilman Andrew Koontz casting the vote against it.