Trade Associations Host Industry Briefing at Waypoint Spirits

Carroll J. Hughes, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Store Association; Jean Cronin, Connecticut Package Store Association; Mike Scalise, Owner of Broadway Wine & Spirits and member of CT Small Brands Council; Adam von Gootkin, Co-owner, Onyx Moonshine and member of CT Small Brands Council; and Pete Kowalczyk, Co-owner, Onyx Moonshine and member of CT Small Brands Council.

Connecticut Package Store Association (CPSA) and the Connecticut Small Brands Council (CSBC) hosted an industry update and distillery tour at Waypoint Spirits on May 15, 2017. Carroll J. Hughes, Executive Director of the Connecticut Package Store Association, provided a briefing to trade association members about 2017 legislative session outcomes. The two groups also discussed collaborative efforts on promoting Connecticut-made products.

: Carroll J. Hughes, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Store Association; Jean Cronin, Connecticut Package Store Association; Mike Scalise, Owner of Broadway Wine & Spirits and member of CT Small Brands Council; Adam von Gootkin, Co-owner, Onyx Moonshine and member of CT Small Brands Council; and Pete Kowalczyk, Co-owner, Onyx Moonshine and member of CT Small Brands Council.

: State Rep. David Baram, Bloomfield and Windsor and Chairman on the General Law Committee; Carroll J. Hughes, Executive Director, Connecticut Package Store Association; Jean Cronin, Connecticut Package Store Association; and Sean Hughes, Connecticut Package Store Association.

: Ashok Patel, Owner, Liquor Outlet in Southington; Sam Shah, Owner, Sammy’s Buyrite Liquors in Wethersfield; Rash Patel, Owner, Oxford Liquors in Manchester; Steven Leon, Owner, Wine Cellars 4; Dave Leon, Owner, Super Cellar Warehouse Liquors; and Ashvin Ghetiya, Owner, Co-Op Package Store Stafford Springs.

: Cory Bowie, Events Coordinator, Waypoint Spirits, conducting tastings for CPSA members.

: Jim Valentine, CT Beverage Mart Middletown; Ted Downes, CT Beverage Mart Newington; Bob Ferris, CT Beverage Mart Newington; and Steve Wojtusik, CT Beverage Mart Newington.

: Carroll J. Hughes led an industry briefing for CPSA members during the event. Topics included successfully lobbying against minimum bottle pricing, promoting Connecticut-made brands and building partnerships with local beer, wine and spirit producers. Hughes also encouraged industry guests to work with town legislators on business and local issues and concerns.

: Judy and Neal Knofla, Owners, Ledgebrook Spirit Shop.

: David Rossi, Co-owner Waypoint Spirits behind the bar conducting a tasting for Chris Camberi, Co-owner, Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe.

: David Rossi conducting a tour of the Waypoint facility for CPSA members.

: Jim Valentine, CT Beverage Mart Middletown; Jay Polke, Co-owner/Founder, Willowbrook Spirit Shoppe; and Sean Hughes, Connecticut Package Store Association.