Two Columbia Liquor Stores Get Kudos from Police Chief

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Two Columbia liquor stores are receiving letters of appreciation from the Howard County Police Department after passing a recent test, officials said Monday.

During the test, a 17-year-old volunteer went undercover into a dozen stores around the county and tried to buy alcohol, according to the Howard County Police Department.

The volunteer, who is a member of HC DrugFree, had an ID that clearly showed he was not 21 years old, according to police, who reported some stores checked his ID while others did not.

Kings Contrivance Liquor and Smoke Shop and Dobbin Square Liquors in Columbia both passed the test, which is designed to ensure stores aren’t selling alcohol to minors.

Those two and eight other businesses will receive thank-you notes from Police Chief Gary Gardner for helping to curb underage drinking, police reported. The other stores that passed the test were the Perfect Pour, Lark Brown Liquors and Twisted Cork in Elkridge; I.M. Wine in Fulton; Bottom of the Bay, Cherry’s Liquors and Montpelier Liquors in Laurel; and Friendship Liquors in West Friendship.

Two stores did not pass the test, according to police:

• All Saints Liquors in Laurel
• Angels Cut Wine & Spirits in Ellicott City

Police said those two were cited and must appear before the Howard County Alcohol Beverage Hearing Board regarding the violations.

Patch File Photo.