CITY OF RENO NEWS RELEASE
The privileged liquor licenses of several Reno businesses have been suspended as a result of the city of Reno and Reno Police Department’s continuing efforts to stop sales of liquor to minors through liquor license compliance sting operations.
The common elements of all suspension/penalty is the business is required to install age verification cash registers or ID scanners, video surveillance inside and outside the establishments, signage notifying customers that the business checks IDs, in-house stings by businesses, Alcohol Awareness cards (required by state law), any advertising of alcohol will include information about alcohol identification and prevention of underage alcohol consumption, ongoing cooperation with city officials and in some cases a monetary fine.
Below is a summary of suspensions for the past several months:
• City Liquor and Food, 5020 Las Brisas Avenue: Two hearings were held and the Packaged Alcohol License initially revoked. After second hearing license was reinstated but suspended until July 1, 2012 (approximately 90 days).
• Smith’s Food and Drugs, 175 Lemmon Drive: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 13 days held in abeyance for 12 months from time agreement was signed if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served one day suspension (March 13-14, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period and paid $1000 fine.
• CVS Pharmacy, 3630 S. McCarran Boulevard: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 11 days held in abeyance for 12 months from time agreement was signed if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served three day suspension (March 1-4, 2012), no sales of alcohol during suspension period.
• Townhouse Motor Lodge & Mini Mart, 303 W. 2nd Street: Received a 30 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 26 days held in abeyance for 12 months from hearing date if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served four day suspension (March 27 – 31, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Sunny Discount Liquor, 2900 Clearacre Lane, #L: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 30 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 26 days held in abeyance for 24 months from hearing date if no sales to minors occur during the 24 month period, served four day suspension (March 1 – 5, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Nandi AM/PM, 6190 S. Virginia Street: Received a 30 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 27 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of hearing if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served three day suspension (February 24 – 27, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• 7-11 Food Store, 690 Booth Street: Received a 30 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 27 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of hearing if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served three day suspension (February 24 – 27, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• 7-11 Food Store, 1770 Sutro Street: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 50 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 36 days held in abeyance for 24 months from time agreement was signed if no sales to minors occur during the 24 month period, served 14 day suspension (February 20 – March 5, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Ben’s Discount Liquor, 4700 N. Virginia Street: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 10 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of hearing if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served three day suspension (January 9-13, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period and paid $1500 fine.
• B&B Food and Discount Liquor, 640 Kuenzli Street: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 10 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of hearing if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served four day suspension (December 13 – 17, 2011), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Lakeside Market, 6147 Lakeside Drive: Received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 11 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of hearing if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served three day suspension (January 20 – 23, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Go Fer Gas and Discount Liquor, 4600 N. Virginia Street: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 30 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 23 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of signed agreement if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served seven day suspension (January 5 – 12, 2012), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• AM/PM Mini Market, 600 Kietzke Lane: Received a 30 day suspension for Sales to Minors, served 30 day suspension (November 1 – December 1, 2011), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Discount Gas and Liquor, 900 Yori Avenue: Received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, served 14 day suspension (November 7 – 21. 2011), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• Dollar Plus and Mini Mart, 3052 Kietzke Lane: Received a 21 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 14 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of hearing if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served seven day suspension (November 1 – 8, 2011), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
• City Corner Gas & Grocery, 1000 2nd Street: Out of Court Settlement Agreement; received a 14 day suspension for Sales to Minors, 10 days held in abeyance for 12 months from date of agreement if no sales to minors occur during the 12 month period, served four day suspension (October 21 – 25, 2011), no sales of alcohol allowed during suspension period.
The Reno Police Department’s Street Enforcement Team routinely conducts sting operations for alcohol sales to minors to ensure businesses are selling alcohol in conformance with the law. Upon failure of the sting, the offending clerks are issued citations for furnishing alcohol to a minor and the case is referred to Business Relations Manager Michael Chaump for review. Chaump confers with the City Attorney’s Office to determine if the case warrants an Administrative Hearing to Show Cause why the alcohol license should not be revoked or suspended
The penalties pursued are dependent upon many factors, to include, previous violations, existing protocol for the business (e.g., automatic firing for sales to minors) and other actions taken by business owners after the sting.
Administrative hearings can result in the suspension of the alcohol license for a specific period of time or revocation of the license. Consideration of license suspensions include factors such as protective measures in place prior to the violation such as employee training, signage and other steps, protective measures taken since the violation, time of operation of the business without violations and persons involved in the sale, such as whether the licensee/owner was involved in the violations. During the suspension period the sale of alcohol is not allowed; however, the sale of general merchandise is not impacted.
