More Montcalm County retailers comply with not selling to minors
Ashley Powell, a waitress and bartender at Huckleberry’s Restaurant in Greenville, waits on a customer Wednesday afternoon. Huckleberry’s was one of many vendors in the area to pass a compliance check performed by Drug Free Montcalm in conjunction with area law enforcement earlier this year. — Daily News/Kelli Ameling
Roughly 15 percent of stores and restaurants sold tobacco, alcohol or both to minors during compliance checks conducted by Drug Free Montcalm.
The group annually tests local stores and restaurants by sending in minors with identification clearly showing they are not of age to purchase tobacco and alcohol.
This year, Drug Free Montcalm visited 67 stores that sell tobacco and 32 stores or restaurants that sell alcohol.
“We do have documented visits to the vendors, including the date and time of the visit, and most often the name of the clerk if they have a name badge or are willing to give their name,” Drug Free Montcalm Coordinator Lynn Cooper said.
Nine stores sold tobacco to the minors, representing 13 percent of those checked. Five stores or restaurants sold alcohol to the minors, representing 15 percent of those checked.
“We would like to emphasize that the majority of the vendors did not sell and they should be commended in complying,” Cooper said.
A police officer came along for every compliance check, usually hiding around a corner. The minor involved in the sting reported immediately to the officer if an improper sale was made. The officer then notified the business.
Each business that failed the sting received a letter from Drug Free Montcalm regarding the situation, which offers assistance with training for employees and assists the businesses in asking for ID and reading them correctly.
“We are sure that the vendors do not desire to sell to minors and would like to work cooperatively with them to make sure that doesn’t happen,” she said.
Drug Free Montcalm submitted a report on the illegal tobacco and alcohol sales to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission. The stores and restaurants could be guilty of a misdemeanor, but law enforcement has discretion of whether to pursue legal action.
Liquor Control Commission regulators also can levy fines of up to $100. Further penalties are possible depending on the situation and the how many times it has occurred.
“Usually, the very least that is done is the employee is terminated, which is up to the employer who will also have to pay unemployment, hire and train a new employee,” Cooper said.
Changes for vendors who sold
Some stores caught selling to minors fired the employee who made the sale.
Daryl Johnson, owner of Tamarack Sports in Lakeview, said an employee was terminated on the spot after selling alcohol to a minor.
“(We are) pretty strict,” he said. “We don’t tolerate it.”
McBride Country Store immediately fired the clerk who sold tobacco to a minor, according to an employee who did not want to be named. He said employees have to check anyone’s ID that looks close to the age.
Other stores implemented new policies to prevent more illegal sales.
The Handy Market in Greenville sold both tobacco and alcohol to minors. Manager Jay Patel said employees are now asked to ID anyone who looks under the age of 30 when buying those types of products as a procedure.
The Mobil Stanton Mart sold tobacco to minors and is now making sure all IDs are not only checked but run through a machine, said cashier Cassy Stout.
The same is true for the Mobil Pierson Mart, which also sold tobacco to a minor.
“There is no reason (for failing the checks),” manager Patti Hoskins said of the tobacco sale early this year.
The Pierson Trading Post also sold tobacco to minors.
“Employees are asked to sign and read a policy when they are hired,” said owner Jerry Dreyes.
Kramer’s Market, Sheridan Marathon, El Rancho Restaurant and Bar in Greenville could not be reached for comment regarding their sales to minors.
Wesco 47 in Lakeview is looking into the situation, according to an employee who would not give their name.
Viking Grocery Mart in Howard City hung up on The Daily News each time they were asked if new procedures were put into place after the store sold tobacco to a minor.
Tobacco vendors with no sale to minors:
Carson City: Citgo, BP, Blodgett Oil Company Inc., Butternut Corners Convenience, Carson Village Market, Rite Aid of Michigan No. 1528 and Next Door Store No. 37. Crystal: Lake Street Station, Wilson’s Party Store, Crystal Quick stop and Blanchard Thriftway. Edmore: Admiral, The Depot – Marathon, Jorgensen’s and Family Food Center. Gowen: Gowen General Store. Greenville: Mr. T’s Party Store, Greenville EZ Mart, Meijer Gas Station, Wesco, Admiral Petroleum, Turk Lake Market, Admiral Discount Tobacco, Jorgi’s Marketplace, Citgo, Rite Aid of Michigan, Old Mill Party Store, Petersen Oil, Handy Market and Walgreens. Howard City: BP Amoco Fast Lane, Mobil M-46 Auto and Truck Stop, BP Amoco HC, RJ Liquor Store, Rustic Sport Shop, J & H Family Store, Viking Grocery Mart and Leppink’s Inc. Lakeview: Next Door Store, Five Corners Party Store, Mobil Lakeview Mart, Leppink’s Lakeview Inc. and Tamarack Sports. Sheridan: Blodgett Food Mart and Oil, Sheridan Village Market, BP Station and Klinker’s Korner Inc. Sidney: Sidney General Store. Six Lakes: The Little Store. Stanton: Zerka’s Party Store, Zerka’s General Store, White Spot and Tri-Lakes General Store. Trufant: JJ Mini Market. Vestaburg: AJ’s Meat Market and Spot Party Store.
Alcohol vendors with no sale to minors:
Carson City: Citgo, BP, Next Door Store and Shell Gas Station. Greenville: Applebees, Meijer Gas No. 201, Wesco, Citgo, Rite Aid Michigan, Old Mill Party Store, Walgreens, Winter Inn, Huckleberry’s, Reno Bar and Walmart. Howard City: BP Amoco Fast Lane, Mobil M-46 Auto and Truck Stop, BP Amoco HC, J and H Family Store Mobil Mart and Leppink’s. Lakeview: Next Door Store No. 23, Mobil Lakeview Mart, Wesco and Leppink’s Lakeview. Stanton: Zerka’s General Store, Leppink’s Food Center and BP.
Kelli Ameling
A Daily News staff writer, Kelli covers the Greenville area and the topics of health and technology.Kelli Ameling has written 561 articles.
Wow, if I still lived in Montcalm County I would move to terminate this intrampment. I remember a similar case a few years back where this happened, the “kid” under 18 had his head shaved bald and was wearing a suit. Nice job to the Police Department for making sure he looked old enough to have a few kids and been in the work place for years. I would not have put the “kid” under 34 years of age, but the Police Department has to make money–if they still distribute misdemeanors for this. How about the Police Department do so real police work and dig some leads into those who actually BUY tobacco and alchol for minors? We all know that’s where they get it, rarely would a “kid” pull off buying underage. Plus, not to mention, all those people were fired on the spot for not checking–who probably needed those jobs. Thanks Police Department, at least you kept the government going!