All of the liquor stores in Lilburn are closed this weekend after police caught them in an undercover bust selling booze to someone underage.
Channel 2′s Carl Willis saw a steady stream of confused and upset customers Friday night.
Every liquor store in the city of Lilburn closed– their licenses suspended after police busted four different shops and one restaurant for selling to an underage decoy who did not have an id.
“I’ve been to three, and it’s the weekend before Christmas holidays and it’s not good my memaw needs to make her punch,” said customer Stephanie Friel.
Shop owners and managers said it was a punch to the gut, especially on a big weekend leading into Christmas. But Lilburn police said some of the package stores are repeat violators.
“Our goal is to keep alcohol out of the hands of underage persons and make sure that they don’t have access at least legal access to it that’s our job,” said Lilburn Police Department Capt. Thomas Bardugon.
“I wouldn’t want someone to sell it to my child so, not good,” Friel said.
Willis went by Depot Package, ABC Beverage, Royal Package and 29 Package Store where they posted a note urging customers to complain about the suspensions.
“It’s a privilege to be able to do this and they understand these are the ramifications for not properly identifying the person as a legal adult,” Bardugon said.
“It will definitely send a message not to sell liquor to minors anymore,” said customer Jarrett Lyons.
There are no liquor stores outside of Lilburn in unincorporated parts of Gwinnett County. Customers will have to go Suwanee, Grayson or DeKalb to buy anything other than beer or wine.
“If you’re not getting it from here then yeah you might have to take a little bit of a drive,” Bardugon said.
