Employees at six of 24 businesses targeted in a sting operation involving alcohol sales to minors will be facing a court date.

The Sheriff's Department, working with the Michigan Liquor Control Commission, conducted its annual alcohol compliance check June 12-15 at 24 county businesses that hold liquor licenses. At 18 of the businesses, employees refused to sell alcohol to a “decoy” posing as a minor. Workers at six other businesses, however, sold alcohol and will now go in front of a judge in 86th District Court to face charges.

Detective Clint Kerr said the county Sheriff’s Department gives extra attention to a zero tolerance policy for underage drinking during high school graduation time.

“It reinforces the message that underage drinking is a matter we consider to be very important,” Kerr said.

Employees who sold alcohol to the 18-year-old decoy received a civil infraction ticket. Kerr said the fine is generally up to $100 plus court and state costs.

Kerr said a similar compliance check was held earlier this month involving tobacco sales to minors.
Seven businesses in the southwest part of the county were visited by underage decoys wanting to buy cigarettes. “Of those seven, three did not sell tobacco to the decoys,” he said.

A civil infraction ticket for selling tobacco to a minor will cost an individual up to $140 in the fine and costs, and up to 90 days of probation. Kerr said the compliance checks show that employees and business owners need to stay vigilant, especially during the busy summer months.

“The first thing a store clerk or employee needs to do when someone comes to the counter with an alcoholic beverage or wants to buy cigarettes is check their identification,” Kerr said.

Following are lists of how businesses responded to the sting.

Sold alcohol: Maple City Shortstop, Maple City; M-204 Country Store, Lake Leelanau; NJs Grocery, Lake Leelanau; Bluebird Tavern, Leland; O’Keefe’s Firehouse Pub, Suttons Bay; J&J Food Shop, Suttons Bay.

Sold tobacco: Bear Paw Market, Glen Arbor; Gabe’s Country Market, Maple City; Maple City Shortstop, Maple City; Cedar City Market, Cedar.

Did not sell alcohol: Dick’s Pour House, Lake Leelanau BP — Lake Leelanau; Leland Mercantile, The Cove, The Leland Lodge, Riverside Inn — Leland; Tom’s Food Market — Northport; Tom’s Food Market, Speedway, Dockside Party Store, Rite Aide, Cherry Bend Grocery — Elmwood Township; Lucky Duck Tavern, Barrels and Barrels — Suttons Bay; Grumpy’s — Solon Township; Bunting’s Cedar Market, Cedar City Market — Cedar; and Blarney Castle E-Z Mart —Empire.

Did not sell tobacco products: Art’s Tavern — Glen Arbor; Cedar City Market, Bunting’s Cedar Market — Cedar.