Business Agrees to Close 21 Days for Violating City's Tobacco Ordinances

BZ Quick Mart Gas Station, 10301 S. Kedzie Ave. | GoogleMaps

A gas station has agreed to voluntarily close for 21 days and pay a fine after city inspectors were denied access to the store safe on several occasions.

Ahmed M. Saleh, the license holder for BZ Quick Mart Gas Station, 10301 S. Kedzie Ave., waived his right to a public hearing before the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection and Local Liquor Control Commission concerning a violation in 2015.

Saleh is the president of Mt. Greenwood Gas Inc., according to state records.

Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) said multiple complaints to his office prompted a visit from BACP inspectors, who issued four different citations after being denied access to the store safe.

The inspectors charge that on Aug. 15, 2015, the business failed to open its safe within 30 minutes as required by city’s tobacco sale ordinances. On that same date, the business also charged a higher price for an item and failed to notify the BACP of a change in the business’s name, according to settlement report.

BZ Quick Mart was again cited on Oct. 8, 2015 for failure to open its safe for inspectors within 30 minutes and offering items for individual sale which were not labeled for individual sale.

City inspectors visited the store on two more occasions, Nov. 3, 2015 and Dec. 23, 2015. Both times the business failed to open its safe within 30 minutes for inspects. The business was also cited for not posting a warning to minors sign, and failing to report a change in the business’s name.

The city’s tobacco sales ordinances require an a business owner or employee to open a locked safe or door upon the BACP inspector’s request within 30 minutes. Such business are also prohibited from selling individual cigarettes or deliberately concealing illegal tobacco products.

City inspectors are permitted to enter and inspect any business unannounced, and examine and inspect property and business records. Interfering with an inspector or violating the ordinances could result in fines ranging from $100 to $10,000 for each occurrence, or revocation of the business’s tobacco license.

Saleh has agreed to pay a fine of $7,500. He has also agreed to close the business for 21 days, beginning Feb. 5 and ending on March 7.

O’Shea said in an email blast to constituents that the city settled an unrelated case against the business with a $12,000 fine.

“Moving forward, my office will continue to monitor this establishment to ensure compliance with all appropriate city codes,” O’Shea wrote.