Retailers checked for alcohol sales; five of eight pass test

Kalispell police and the county Alcohol Enforcement Team checked businesses Monday to see if they would sell alcohol to minors.

Five out of eight passed the test.

Two 18-year-old buyers went into the businesses with their real identification and tried to buy alcohol.

The businesses that asked for identification and refused to sell alcohol were Kum N G (south location), Michael's West, Meridian Express and Deli, Ole's, and Meridian Conoco.

Those that sold to the teens and failed the test were Michael's South, Town Pump on West Idaho, and Mulligan's Conoco. Those businesses did not ask the teenagers for identification.

The employees who sold the alcohol were charged with unlawful delivery of alcoholic beverages. Businesses with multiple violations risk losing their liquor licenses.

In November, four out of nine clerks who were checked in Kalispell were cited.

A year ago, eight of nine clerks failed the test.

The alcohol enforcement team plans aggressive checks of retailers, bars, and restaurants as part of its effort to stop alcohol sales to underage buyers.

Team coordinator Travis Bruyer said classes for sellers and servers of alcohol will be offered free next month. For more information, call Wendy Olson at 751-4502.