Nine Tacoma businesses sold alcohol to minors during compliance checks

August 22, 2011

OLYMPIA – On August 5, 2011, nine Tacoma businesses failed liquor compliance checks conducted by the Washington State Liquor Control Board (WSLCB) and the Tacoma Police Department. Two teams of officers checked 34 businesses for sales/service of alcohol to minors.

The nine businesses sold alcohol to investigative aides working with officers.

Compliance checks
The WSLCB and local authorities regularly conduct 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.

Investigative aides assist officers with compliance checks. 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.

State liquor store employees who sell to a minor are subject to a $500 reduction in salary or a suspension without pay. A second sale results in termination of employment.

Businesses that sold alcohol to a minor:

  • Big Whiskey Saloon, 100 S. Ninth St.
  • El Toro No. II Restaurant, 5716 N. 26th St.
  • Gruv Lounge and Nightclub, 3829 Sixth Ave.
  • O'Malley's, 2403 Sixth Ave.
  • Park Avenue Foods, 7214 Park Ave.
  • P & J Deli Mart, 3535 Portland Ave.
  • State Liquor Store No. 122, 7048 Pacific Ave.
  • State Liquor Store No. 84, 1415 E. 72nd Street
  • The Beach At Titlow, 8612 Sixth Ave.

Businesses that did not sell alcohol to a minor:

  • 56th Street Chevron, 3305 S. 56th St.
  • 72nd Deli Market, 716 72nd St. S.
  • 72nd Street Chevron, 805 72nd St. E.
  • 7-Eleven No. 18194C, 5605 Birmingham
  • 7-Eleven No. 32307C, 4701 S. Oakes Street
  • 7 Ten Store, 4635 Yakima Ave. S.
  • Circle K/76 No. 2705529, 2602 N. Pearl St.
  • Club Kokonut/Surreal, 728 Pacific Ave.
  • Dawson’s Again, 5443 S. Tacoma Way
  • Jim’s Deli Market, 9318 Steele St. S.
  • K & J Mart, 6405 McKinley
  • Min Grocery, 3124 E. Portland Ave.
  • Nite & Day Deli Mart, 5516 Portland Ave.
  • Oakes Street Circle K, 4704 S. Oakes
  • Pearl S & G, 8808 Pacific Ave.
  • Pearl Shell Food Mart, 5744 N. 26th St.
  • Rum Runner, 5240 S. Tacoma Way
  • State Liquor Store No. 63, 2627 N. Pearl St.
  • State Liquor Store No. 105, 2805 Sixth Ave.
  • State Liquor Store No. 111, 5306 Pacific Highway E.
  • State Liquor Store No. 161, 3840 Pacific Ave.
  • Safeway Store No. 1978, 2637 N. Pearl St.
  • The Loose Wheel Bar and Grill, 6108 Sixth Ave.
  • • Walgreens No. 07356, 3540 N. Pearl St.
  • Westend Pub and Grill, 3840 Sixth Ave.

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.