Fridley Alcohol Compliance Check: 21 pass, 1 fails

Twenty-one Fridley businesses passed a recent compliance check on sales of alcohol to people younger than 21 years old, according to the Fridley Police Department.

One business failed, Fridley police said in a statement Monday: Freedom Gas, 7600 University Ave. NE.

In instances of failure, both the business and the individual employee face fines. The fines for individuals are $250 for the first violation within a 12-month period; $500 for a second violation; and $750 for the third violation.

For businesses, fines are $500 for the first violation within a 12-month period; $1,000 for a second violation; and possible license revocation for a third.

Beyond such adminstrative fines, employees who sell or serve intoxicating liquor, 3.2 percent malt liquor, beer or wine to a person younger than 21 may face criminal charges.

Tobacco Too

, five Fridley businesses sold tobacco to a 16-year-old decoy: Spur, 6485 E. River Rd.; Two Stooges, 7178 University Ave. NE; Mr. Discount Tobacco, 315 Osborne Rd. NE; Amstar, 7680 Hwy. 65; 4 Corners Gas, 1301 Mississippi St. NE.

Twenty Fridley businesses passed the tobacco sales compliance check.

Monsrud said in an interview Monday that the Fridley Police Department conducts both kinds of compliance checks—for sales of tobacco and alcohol—twice each year.

Businesses don't get a warning that another round of checks is imminent, Monsrud said—but they do learn on the spot if they fail. 

The next alcohol check will be in 2012.

Funding for Fridley's alcohol compliance program comes from the Minnesota Institute of Public Health, via the Enforcing Underage Drinking Laws Program of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS).