Two Maple Grove Businesses to Receive Penalties for Liquor License Violations

Two Maple Grove businesses were brought before the Maple Grove City Council recently for liquor license violations.

According to a city memo relating to each business, the conducted alcohol compliance checks on Oct. 20, 2011, and “alcohol was served to a minor undercover/decoy.”

Both businesses, and , spoke before the City Council Nov. 21 and both denied the allegations or requested a public hearing on the matter.

A representative from Star Liquors, located at 8135 Wedgewood Lane, spoke to the council. He said the store is “sorry” for the violation, but he thinks the penalty is “obscene.” The representative shared with the City Council the measures the store is taking, such as training and scan machines, to avoid the violations.

“I happened to have a fellow that thought it was cute to bypass the system,” the representative said, stating the employee has since been fired and the supervisor put on probation.

Since it was the first liquor violation for Star Liquors within a three-year period, the Council voted to impose a $2,000 civil penalty and directed city staff to prepare the findings of fact and conclusions in the matter.

A representative from the Costco, located at 11330 Fountains Drive N., also spoke before the City Council and shared measures implemented to prevent future violations including retraining employees to “card everyone.” He stated the current violation was “human negligence” and indicated the employee is no longer working for Costco. Mayor Mark Steffenson suggested the retailer consider using a card swipe system.

The City Council voted to impose a $2,000 civil penalty on Costco and directed city staff to prepare the findings of fact and conclusions in the matter.

The actual fines and suspensions are to be put to a final vote by the Maple Grove City Council at the Monday, Dec. 5 meeting after the city staff prepares the findings of fact and conclusions.

A full copy of the Nov. 21 Maple Grove City Council agenda and supporting documents can be found here.