GARDNER, Mass. (AP) – Anti-drunken driving advocates say a local liquor store is promoting underage drinking by selling wine featuring the Gardner High School mascot.

But James Kraskouskas, who owns Anthony’s Liquor Mart, said he wanted to promote only community pride with the Gardner Wildcats wine, which went on sale this month and is made by Weibel Vineyards of Woodbridge, Calif.

“In Gardner, ‘Wildcats’ is really the logo, the symbol of the city of Gardner,” said Kraskouskas, who attended the school for two years when he was younger.

David Deluliis, a spokesman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, questioned Wednesday what demographic the store was targeting with the wine.

He pointed to Kraskouskas’ campaign against Question 1 out of concern that young people would have greater access to the alcoholic beverage. The question would have allowed supermarkets and convenience stores to sell wine.

“The package store owners got up on their soap boxes over the past year, and two weeks after the election, they are selling wine with the name of the local high school,” Deluliis said. “I think that is a little hypocritical and a little problematic.”

Kraskouskas said he works with MADD, state and local police and the Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission to make sure minors don’t buy alcohol from his store.

“We’re a dedicated package store. Only adults come in our store,” he said. “We don’t allow minors in our store.”

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Information from: Telegram & Gazette, http://www.telegram.com