I-TEAM: Liquor store closes after investigation

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - The I-TEAM learned that a Toledo liquor store has closed following a multi-state investigation into the illegal sales of alcohol.

The state flagged Glass City Liquors after seeing large quantities of sales. What they did not find during part of the investigation was proof of payment.

When Glass City Liquors abruptly closed earlier this year, many people wondered what happened to it. It turns out, the State of Ohio Division of Liquor Contol had the place on its radar as part of a multi-state, multi-agency investigation into illegal sale of liquor.

According to a letter from Liquor Control, they noticed a trend of full case purchases of highly allocated bourbons on the day of receipt. From early 2022 until April 2023, investigators found 148 transactions of full case purchases which equated to 7,030 bottles and a retail value of $227,735.

When investigators looked at the video, they saw an employee ring the sales into the cash register but did not see them put any money in.

According to a search warrant obtained to search the business, one of the men in the store told investigators that he re-sold the bottles to a friend in Michigan. Another man said he gave them away as gifts.

The state pulled part of the liquor license, allowing some alcohol sales. But owners still shut it down.

The owners also operated the bulk beverage store on Secor Road near Executive Parkway. That also closed abruptly earlier this year. But, the Division of Liquor Control said that closure was undertaken by the owner and had nothing to do with the investigation.

As of now, no one has been charged with any crimes related to this.

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