Six Trenton Stores Made Sales To Underage Buyers
By LYDIA BERGLAR
News Editor
Right before the November monthly meeting of the City of Trenton Board of Commissioners, the city held an alcohol board meeting (made up of the commissioners) regarding sales to underage buyers. These sales were part of the sting operation previously covered by the county Alcoholic Beverage Control Board (see the Oct. 2 Sentinel).
The owners of four gas station convenience stores in Trenton and both liquor stores were present, as well as Steve Beaudoin (police chief) and Captain Dylon Floyd of the Trenton Police Department. The stores are Mapco, Circle K by Ingles, Highway 11 Quick Mart, Yogi’s Mini Mart. Trenton Liquors, and Vic’s Wine and Spirits.
Alex Case (mayor) explained that when the city first approved the liquor stores, one of the most common concerns was about underage buyers accessing alcohol. Per the city’s ordinances, the commission can suspend beer and wine and liquor licenses or put stores on probation, but currently, there’s no fine option. The commission expressed a desire to add a fine option for the future.
While suspensions would hurt the convenience stores a little bit, they would put a complete hold on the liquor store’s business. Monda Wooten (street commissioner) was not in favor of suspension, saying, “I don’t think there was any malice intended, and y’all know I was the one that was against all the liquor stores, but these guys are a part of our community, and they contribute.”
Floyd reported that he’s been doing compliance checks for three years, and this was the worst night for alcohol sales. Six of the seven violations this August were alcohol sales. He said, “Usually, I always get the vape sales. I haven’t had any previous alcohol sales since I’ve been doing it. They’ve all done very good, but on August 15, it was a terrible day.”
Case said, “These vapes are a big problem in our school system. Some of this stuff that goes in them—it’s not y’all’s fault; it’s just the way they’re sold.”
Vic Barot (of Vic’s Wine and Spirits) said that his staff has completed the ServSafe Alcohol training and had recommended it to Sam Patel (of Trenton Liquors).
Joseph McLaughlin (Mapco owner) explained that he acquired the Trenton location this month. He said that in Alabama, if an underage sale is caught, the state’s responsible vendor training is completed again with the employees, but that did not happen this year at the Trenton Mapco until November.
He added that the Mapco register is set up to scan the ID, and he is making sure all employees follow the protocol. He said any employee who makes a sale to an underage buyer will be fired within 24 hours.
The Circle K owner reported that the employee who made the sale was fired, and the other employees were recertified through another training.
The commission decided to put all six stores on probation until they submitted proof that all of their employees have completed alcohol sales training. Most of the stores will soon have certification if they don’t already.
Case mentioned the liquor stores’ request for Sunday sales, explaining that the city’s attorney said citizens would have to vote on all Sunday sales again. “We could either gain that one for distilled spirit sales, or we could lose all Sunday sales.”
The store owners were not in favor of putting it on the ballot if it could risk all Sunday sales.
Barot said his attorney said that because the commission established the ordinance, it could be changed by the commission rather than by the voters.
Case said he has asked the city attorney to look into the question further.
Mike Norris (police commissioner) said he appreciates that the store owners keep their businesses clean and presentable. “Especially liquor stores, they’re nasty and dark, but it’s not that way here. They’re nice and pretty, and I appreciate that.”
