April 23, 2009
OLYMPIA - On April 17, 11 Tacoma businesses failed liquor compliance checks conducted city-wide as part of a joint enforcement effort by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) and the Tacoma Police Department.
Two teams of officers checked 49 businesses for sales/service of alcohol to minors. The 11 businesses were cited for selling alcohol to investigative aides working with police and liquor enforcement officers.
The WSLCB and local authorities regularly conduct compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol. These businesses include spirits, beer and wine restaurants, grocery stores, liquor stores, neighborhood markets, taverns, wine bars and sports/entertainment facilities. Compliance checks are proven tools to reduce the sale of alcohol to minors.
Officers conduct compliance checks assisted by investigative aides. These individuals are from 18 to 20 years old. They must present their true identification if asked by a clerk. However, they may attempt to be evasive if asked their age but not asked for their I.D.
Liquor enforcement officers are empowered to issue Administrative Violation Notices to businesses that fail compliance checks. Fines or temporary license suspensions can be issued depending on the severity of the infraction or the frequency with which a business has been cited. Clerks who sell can also receive a criminal citation. Liquor enforcement officers review the past two years when determining fines or license suspensions.
Businesses that sold alcohol to a minor:
First Market, 2051 S. 96th St. Ste. 7
Smoke & Gifts, 9027 Pacific Ave. S. No. 3
Country Boy Market, 5522 McKinley Ave. E.
Brass Lantern, 4034 McKinley Ave.
El Compadre, 4002 McKinley Ave. Ste. A
Station 56, 5602 S. Washington St.
54th Sports Bar, 5415 S. Tacoma Way
Pyramid Gold Mini Mart, 1440 Puyallup Ave.
Valley Pub, 1206 Puyallup Ave.
Major Petroleum B.P., 1302 Puyallup Ave.
Alfred's Cafe, 402 Puyallup Ave.
Businesses that did not sell alcohol to a minor:
7-Eleven, 9517 Steele St. S.
7-Eleven, 9450 Pacific Ave.
Black Stone Mini Market, 8247 Pacific Ave. S
Gloria's Bar & Grill, 8201 Pacific Ave.
Fred Meyer No. 385, 7250 Pacific Ave.
Rite Aid No. 5271, 7041 Pacific Ave.
Pacific Grocery & Deli, 6329 Pacific Ave.
PK Gasoline and Deli, 716 E. 64th St.
K & J Mart, 6405 McKinley Ave. E.
Rudy's Restaurant & Lounge, 6324 McKinley Ave.
White Spot Tavern, 6310 McKinley Ave.
El Milagrito, 5606 E. Portland Ave. Ste. C
Parky's Tavern, 3551 McKinley Ave.
7-Eleven, 3848 McKinley Ave.
Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe, 3529 McKinley Ave.
Albertson's No. 498, 111 S. 38th St.
PAC 40 Lounge & Restaurant, 3850 Pacific Ave.
Unicorn Sports Bar, 5302 N. 49th St.
Red Bulls Bar & Grill, 1214 Puyallup Ave.
Porter's BBQ, 2615 E. N St.
Pegasus, 1320 Puyallup Ave.
The New Frontier, 301 E. 25th St.
McCabe's American Music Cafe, 2611 Pacific Ave.
The Melting Pot, 2121 Pacific Ave.
I Street Market, 721 South I St.
Main Street Grocery, 901 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
1022 South, 1022 S. J St.
Stop N Mart, 1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way
Checker's II/Spirit, 2301 S. 12th St.
E-Z Food Store, 2728 S. 12th St.
Handy Mart Grocery-Deli, 402 Tacoma Ave. S.
King's Deli & Grocery, 326 Tacoma Ave. S.
Hell's Kitchen, 3829 6th Ave.
Grandy's Country Cobbler, 1602 S. Mildred
T C Deli & Grocery, 6701 S. 12th St.
Imperial Dragon Restaurant, 6805 6th Ave.
State Liquor Store No. 063, 5031 N. Pearl Street
Contract Liquor Store No. 571, 6805 6th Ave.
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