5 Howard stores cited for sales to minors

Five Howard County businesses have been cited for selling alcohol to underage customers -- part of an undercover operation conducted by Howard police, which sends teenage volunteers in to test local stores.

Centennial Cue & Karaoke in Ellicott City, Dobbin Square Liquors in Columbia, Friendship Liquors in West Friendship, Montpelier Liquors in Laurel and Woodbine Wine & Spirits in Woodbine have been notified that they will be brought before the Alcoholic Beverage Hearing Board for hearings.

Centennial Cue & Karaoke in Ellicott City sold to two separate underage volunteers, and Dobbin Square Liquors in Columbia will also be cited for not having a certified alcohol awareness employee on premises, which is required by law.

As part of the test, 17- and 19-year-old volunteers worked with police and separately entered the establishments, attempting to purchase alcohol. None of the clerks at the establishments that sold to a volunteer asked him to show his driver’s license.

Fifteen other businesses fared well in the test, with employees following all appropriate laws. Clerks at those establishments asked for and reviewed the volunteer’s genuine Maryland driver’s license, which clearly indicated that he was under 21 years of age, and refused to complete the sale.

These periodic tests are part of an ongoing effort to combat underage drinking in Howard County. Citizens who are aware of underage drinking or establishments that sell
alcohol to minors are asked to call 410-313-STOP.