36 Marion, Polk, Yamhill Liquor Licensees Pass OLCC Compliance Testing

The testing is part of the OLCC’s effort to curtail underage drinking in Oregon.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM) - Thirty-six of 42 licensed businesses tested in Marion, Polk and Yamhill counties refused to sell alcohol to a minor during a recent compliance operation conducted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission.

However, the following businesses sold alcohol to the minor:

Salem – Big Shots Bar & Broiler, 3755 Portland Rd. NE; Amadeus Café, 5121 Skyline Village Lp.; Cozumel Family Mexican Restaurant, 4405 Liberty Rd. S.; Thai Orchid Restaurant, 285 Liberty St. SE.

Sheridan – Lee’s Garden, 119 E. Main St.

Willamina – Coyote Joe’s, 142 Main St.

Servers and bartenders or licensees whose employees provide alcohol to the minor or fail to verify their age, are subject to OLCC administrative sanctions including fines or license suspensions. Store clerks who sell are cited into court and face at least a $350 fine.

Three inspectors and several minor volunteers did the compliance testing Feb. 16th as part of the OLCC’s priority effort to curtail underage drinking, which is a major problem in Oregon.

The licensees that refused to sell to the minor were:

Dallas – Chateau Blanca, 17485 Hwy. 22.

Keizer -- Kat’s Korner Billiards & Sports Lounge, 3393 River Rd. N.; Ringo’s Tavern, 4170 River Rd. N.

Salem -- ASAP Market, 1995 Lancaster Dr. NE; Safeway, 5660 Commercial St. SE; South Salem AM/PM, 5401 Commercial St. SE; Phoenix Grand Hotel, 201 Liberty Rd. SE; Los Arcos, 4120 Commercial St. SE; Alessandro’s 120, 120 Commercial St. NE; Da Vinci, 180 High St. SE; Circle K, 2495 Fairgrounds Rd. NE; Applebee’s, 2625 Liberty Rd. NE; Chinn’s Restaurant, 4835 Commercial St. S.; Busick Court, 250 Court St.; Canton Garden, 3255 Market St.; Wal-Mart Supercenter, 3025 Lancaster Dr. NE; El Torito Meet Market, 2158 Lancaster Dr.; Circle K/76, 4170 Portland Rd. NE; La Mixteca Restaurant Y Panderia, 850 High St. NE; Pine Street Pub, 460 Pine Street NE; Shopko, 1230 Lancaster Dr.; Lefty’s Pizzeria, 2918 Commercial St. SE; Plaid Pantry, 3105 River Rd. S.

Sheridan -- Sheridan Supervalue IGA, 135 S. Bridge St.; Asabache Mexican Restaurant, 518 S. Bridge St.; Benny Huies Restaurant & Lounge, 209 S. Bridge St.; TJ’s Superette, 129 W. Main St.; Sheridan Pizza Co., 124 E. Main St.; Sheridan’s Bill Market, 836 E. Main St.; Across the Street, 112 E. Main St.; Liquor Store, 103 E. Main.

Willamina -- Dillon’s Bar & Grill, 161-181 NE Main St.; Willamina Thriftway, 112 W. Main St.; Center Market, 180 NE Main St.; Willamina Thriftway, 112 W. Main St.; Center Market, 180 NE Main St.; Wildwood Café, 150 NE Main St.; Liquor Store, 212 NE Main St.

In a compliance test, the volunteer attempts to buy alcohol from licensees or their employees to determine if they are properly checking identification and obeying state law prohibiting alcohol sales to anyone under 21.

The minors are supervised by OLCC inspectors or other law officers, carry their own legal ID and are advised not to disguise their age or encourage the sale of alcohol. The OLCC tested about 1,600 licensed liquor businesses in 2006, and a number of police agencies also do compliance checks.

The OLCC offers training to store clerks, service permit holders and others on ID checking, identifying false identification and laws regarding minors and alcohol.