4 Grays Harbor County Businesses Sold Alcohol to Minors June 7

June 9, 2008

OLYMPIA - Four businesses in Grays Harbor County failed liquor compliance checks conducted on Saturday, June 7, as part of a joint enforcement effort by the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the Montesano and Elma police departments.

The organizations checked 14 businesses, and four were cited for selling alcohol to investigative aides working with police and liquor enforcement officers.

This is the third citation for Tony's Short Stop in Montesano for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor within the past two years. The establishment faces a 30-day suspension of its liquor license.

This is the first citation for Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor within the past two years for the other three businesses, which include Montesano Quick Stop, Charlie's in Montesano and DJ's Alibi Sports Bar in Elma. These three establishments face either a five day suspension of their liquor licenses or a $500 fine in lieu of suspension.

The Washington State Liquor Control Board and local authorities regularly conduct compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol. These businesses include spirits, beer and wine restaurants, large grocery chains, neighborhood markets, taverns, wine bars and sports/entertainment facilities. Compliance checks are proven tools to reduce the sale of alcohol to minors.

Liquor enforcement officers conduct compliance checks assisted by investigative aides. These individuals are from 17 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 look at the past two years when determining fines or temporary license suspensions.

Businesses who sold to a minor on June 7:
-Tony's Short Stop, 326 Main St. in Montesano
-Montesano Quick Stop, 405 S. Main St. in Montesano
-Charlie's, 313 S. Main St. in Montesano
-DJ's Alibi Sports Bar, 314 W. Main St. in Elma

Businesses who did not sell alcohol to a minor on June 7:
-Pick-Rite Thriftway, 211 E. Pioneer in Montesano
-Monte Square Enterprise, 100 Brumfield Ave. in Montesano
-C & T Food Mart, 406 W. Pioneer in Montesano
-Loyal Order of Moose, 3 Monte-Elma Road in Montesano
-Beehive Restaurant, 300 S. Main St. in Montesano
-Brady Food Mart, 595 Monte-Elma Road in Montesano
-Del-Cris Grocery, 609 E. Main St. in Elma
-Elma Lanes, 605 E. Main St. in Elma
-Toad's Express Mart and Deli, 740 Main St. in Elma
-Schujack's Bar and Grill, 326 W. Main St. in Elma

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