East Haddam Grocer Reaches Settlement On ADA Violations

EAST HADDAM, CT - Grist Mill Market has reached a settlement regarding violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to a statement from John H. Durham, United States Attorney for the District of Connecticut.

The complaint was from an individual with disabilities alleging that the Grist Mill Market required her to remove her service animal from the store as a condition of service.

As a result of the settlement agreement, the store is in the process of posting signage indicating “Service Animals Welcome,” implementing a “Service Animal Policy,” which includes the types of legally permissible inquiries store employees may make of a customer who enters the store with a service animal, and training employees regarding the policy, according to Durham's statement.

Under federal law, private entities that own or operate places of “public accommodation,” including grocery stores, are prohibited from discriminating on the basis of disability.

The ADA authorizes the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate complaints and undertake periodic reviews of compliance of covered entities.

During the course of the investigation, Grist Mill Market was sold to a new owner. Durham said in a statement that the new owner and management of the Grist Mill Market has worked cooperatively with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to promptly address the ADA issues without litigation.

“The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that individuals are able to access and enjoy grocery stores and other places of public accommodation,” said Durham.