9 businesses in Whatcom County sold alcohol to minors during compliance checks
June 3, 2011
OLYMPIA – On May 13, nine businesses in Whatcom County failed liquor compliance checks conducted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB). Officers checked 44 businesses for sales/service of alcohol to minors.
The nine businesses received Administrative Violation Notices for sale/service of alcohol to a minor after they sold alcohol to investigative aides working with WSLCB enforcement officers.
Compliance checks
The WSLCB regularly conducts compliance checks of area businesses licensed to sell alcohol. These businesses include 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.
Liquor enforcement officers conduct compliance checks assisted by investigative aides. These individuals are from 18 to 20 years old. They must either present their true identification or none at all if asked by a clerk.
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:
Nooksack:
Starvin Sam’s III, 102 Columbia St. W.
Ferndale:
Ferndale Truck Stop, 1678 Main St.
Unincorporated County:
Custer Country Store, 2910 Main St., Custer
AM/PM, 6890 Portal Way, Ferndale
Lummi Mini Mart, 4884 Haxton Way
Starvin Sam’s No. 6, 5296 Guide Meridian, Bellingham
Video La Gloria, 7310 Everson-Goshen Rd. Suite # B, Everson
Rome Store, 2908 Mt. Baker Highway, Bellingham
Paradise Market No. 1, 6476 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming
Businesses that did not sell alcohol to a minor:
Everson:
Contract Liquor Store No. 574, 103 W. Main St.
Nooksack:
Whatcom Farmer’s Co-Op, 102 Nooksack Ave.
Lynden:
Contract Liquor Store No. 570, 610 Front St.
Wasseff Family Deli Mart, 112 Front St.
Arco AM/PM, 8247 Guide Meridian Road
Lynden Chevron, 8195 Guide Meridian Road
Sumas:
Contract Liquor Store No. 572, 444C Cherry St.
Sumas USA, 208 Cherry St.
Cherry St. Market, 725 Cherry St.
Pay N Run No. 2 / Super Duper Foods, 1015 Cherry St.
Blaine:
Contract Liquor Store No. 569, 1733 H St. No. 400
Blaine Shell, 360 D St.
Yorky’s Grocery 1307 Boblett Drive
Ferndale:
Bensen Country Market, 2254 Douglas Road
Starvin Sam’s Mini Mart No. 4, 5639 Barrett Ave.
Ferndale Shell, 1811 Main St.
7- Eleven Store No. 2306-20938C, 2090 Main St.
Bellingham:
La Gloria Market, 4140 Meridian St. Suite No. 100
Unincorporated County:
Contract Liquor Store No. 680, 7832 Birch Bay Drive, Blaine
Bay Center Market, 8050 Harborview Road, Blaine
Starvin’ Sam’s No. XVII, 8495 Harborview Road, Blaine
GKT Express Mart, 4485 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Blaine
Factory Outlet Shell, 3425 Birch Bay-Lynden Road, Custer
Slater Arco AM/PM, 1197 Slater Road, Bellingham
Delta Country Market, 1306 Birch Bay-Lynden Rd. Lynden
Midway Shell, 6896 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden
Midway Chevron, 6905 Guide Meridian Road, Lynden
Baker Bear Grocery, 1706 Mt. Baker Highway, Bellingham
Deming Quick Stop, 4985 Mt. Baker Highway, Deming
Nooksack Market Center / Tribal Liquor Agency, 5047 Mt. Baker Highway
Starvin Sam’s Mini Mart No. 15, 7519 Kendall Road, Maple Falls
Contract Liquor Store No. 672, 7785 Silver Lake Road, Maple Falls
Everybody’s Store, 5465 Potter Road, Deming
Acme General Store, 2035 Valley Highway, Acme
Glenhaven Country Store, 3094 Glenhaven Dr., Sedro Woolley
The Washington State Liquor Control Board’s mission is to contribute to the safety and financial stability of our communities by ensuring the responsible sale, and preventing the misuse of, alcohol and tobacco. The WSLCB returned $370.3 million in Fiscal Year 2010 to fund essential state and local services.