Liquor Stores Will Be Closed For New Year’s

The Department of Consumer Protection is reminding Connecticut residents that, while they may be able buy alcohol on Sundays now, they won’t be able to stop by the liquor store on New Year’s Day.

This year’s alcohol legislation, which among other things legalized the sale of booze on Sundays, did not change the state law prohibiting package stores from opening on Jan. 1. Grocery stores also are prohibited from selling beer.

Bars and restaurants are permitted to serve alcohol on New Year’s Day, as they normally would.

This year’s friendly reminder from the Consumer Protection Department was significantly less complicated than last year’s as a result of changes in the state’s alcohol statutes.

Last year, both Christmas and New Year’s fell on a Sunday. At the time, state law dictated that liquor stores were prohibited from opening their doors on those holidays and also the following Mondays.

Lawmakers removed the requirement that package stores stay closed on the Monday following a Sunday Christmas and New Year’s Day through the alcohol legislation. The bill also legalized the sale of alcohol on Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day.

But don’t expect the law to change for Christmas and New Year’s. Carroll Hughes, head of the Connecticut Package Store Association, said liquor store owners don’t want the right to open on those holidays because they wouldn’t be very profitable. When it comes to New Year’s, Hughes said most people do their celebrating the day before when the state allows alcohol sales.

Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein asked that people celebrate responsibly.

“I urge everyone to guard against needless tragedy — please drink responsibly, don’t drink and drive, and don’t serve or provide alcohol to anyone who appears intoxicated or is under the age of 21,” Rubenstein said. “We offer our best wishes to everyone for a happy, healthy and safe holiday.”