Licensing commission finds Heller's Liquors in violation after police video shows alcohol consumed on premises; two-day suspension held in abeyance

The Chelsea Licensing Commission found Unity Beverages Incorporated, doing business as Heller's Liquors at 429 Broadway, in violation of Chelsea licensing rules on May 8 after police investigative reports and surveillance and body-worn camera footage showed alcohol sold to patrons who later consumed it and additional compliance gaps.

Sergeant Chung of the Chelsea Police Department presented an investigation into incidents on March 11 and related administrative inspections. Chung testified that officers observed multiple purchases by two men and later observed one of the men drink from a bottle near the store. Chung described the confiscated bottle to the commission: "it's it indeed was a pint size, which is 375 ml of ruble vodka with 40% alcohol volume of ethanol and is listed as 80 proof. As I held the bottle in my hand, I observed that a quarter of the alcohol of the bottle was already gone." The sergeant also detailed interior and exterior surveillance and said staff were unable to readily produce required licensing rules displayed conspicuously at the counter.

Officer Barker Santiago and other officers also testified about an April 8 administrative inspection in which staff turned away several customers who appeared intoxicated; the inspection found a set of posting, training and surveillance shortcomings. Commission members and police discussed that the store used motion-triggered cameras that created gaps in footage; the police recommended a continuous 30-day rolling system for transparency and evidence preservation.

Attorney Jeff Turco and owner Ike Asog responded for Heller's. Turco said the owner had the rules and regulations in an office in the basement but did not have them immediately available during the inspection; Asog told the commission he had dismissed the cashier involved in the incident and had placed binders with the rules and permits in the stores. "I have, and just of importance, I've let this cashier go," Asog told the commission when asked about staff training and steps taken.

Commissioners reviewed applicable local licensing rules cited by police (sections 2.03, 2.08 p, 2.09 and 2.13) and state law references about sale to intoxicated persons. After deliberation the commission voted to find Heller's in violation of three specified items: failure to have rules conspicuously available (2.02/2.03), sale/delivery to an intoxicated person (2.08 p), and consumption/illegal activity on the premises (2.13). The commission then approved a disciplinary package: a two-day suspension placed in abeyance for six months provided Heller's completes specified actions — return of signed TIPS/serving-safety certifications for all employees, upgrade of surveillance to a continuous 30-day rolling system, and confirmation by police that required signage and pricing are posted and compliant. If the licensee fails to provide the certifications, does not complete upgrades, or returns with another disciplinary matter within six months, the suspension will be imposed and further sanctions may follow.

Why this matters: the decision underscores local enforcement expectations for off-premise alcohol retailers: staff training, conspicuous posting of licensing materials, robust surveillance, and refusal of sales to intoxicated persons are treated as enforceable licensing obligations. The commission emphasized staff safety and recordkeeping, and required steps intended both to correct observed violations and to protect the business and patrons.

Key details from the record: officers observed the purchase of hard liquor at roughly 8:13 a.m., 9:05 a.m., and again by the same patrons; video and on-scene officers interrupted a fourth attempted sale at about 1:02–1:10 p.m.; a written directive to provide surveillance footage was delivered on March 13 and the owner was given several days to produce requested video; the police noted motion-censored camera gaps and recommended continuous recording.

Next steps: the licensee must submit TIPS/serving-safety certificates for all employees, confirm surveillance upgrades and signage/pricing compliance with the police, and avoid any new licensing violations for six months to keep the abeyance in place. The commission will record the findings and monitor compliance as part of its licensing oversight.