Wayland Variety loses liquor license for a weekend after fourth violation in 14 years

WAYLAND — July 20, 2026 — Wayland Select Board suspends variety store liquor license after fourth violation in 14 years. The board voted 4-0 Monday to order Wayland Variety & Deli at 70 Boston Post Road to close alcohol sales for a full Friday-through-Sunday weekend by end of August and extend probation to two years after a June 4 compliance sting caught the store selling a six-pack of Budweiser to a 19-year-old operative without an ID check. Acting Chief Mark Hebert told the board the cashier "repeatedly stated, he's over 18, he's over 18." Owner Pankaj Patel apologized and said two employees have completed TIPS certification. "I look forward to seeing you in your store and not on this screen again," said member Christopher Reynolds. The board also approved speed-feedback radar signs for Sherman's Bridge Road, where four traffic counts totaling roughly 33,000 vehicles showed an 85th-percentile speed of 34.8 mph in a 25-mph zone, and authorized Town Manager Michael McCall to sign the FY27 Regional Housing Services Office agreement at 256 hours and $19,937.