Police: 10 businesses sold alcohol to minors

Thu, May 14, 2009

Ten Ottawa County businesses were cited for underage alcohol sales during a round of alcohol compliance stings by local law enforcement agencies last month.

During the last two weeks of April, police officers sent decoys ages 18-20 into 99 retailers throughout the county to attempt to purchase alcohol. Of those establishments, 89 businesses — including 15 in the Grand Haven area and seven in the Spring Lake area — were compliant and did not sell alcohol to the underage decoys.

The 10 locations that failed the checks by selling to the minors were: Stable Inn, 11880 U.S. 31 in Grand Haven Township; The Barn Steakhouse and Saloon, 9104 U.S. 31 in Port Sheldon Township; Family Fare, 6370 Lake Michigan Drive in Allendale Township; Pizza Hut, 169 Columbia Ave. in Holland; Mi Favorita, 408 Columbia Ave. in Holland; Skiles Tavern, 154 E. Eighth St. in Holland; Piper Restaurant, 2225 South Shore Drive in Park Township; Gringo's Grill, 2863 West Shore Drive in Holland Township; Sunny Brook Country Club, 264 Port Sheldon Road in Georgetown Township; and the Wright Tavern, 18800 Eighth Ave. in Wright Township.

Clerks at each location who sold the alcohol received tickets. The 10 violating businesses were reported to the Michigan Liquor Control Commission.

The compliance checks were organized by Ottawa County's Communities Helping Ottawa Obtain a Safe Environment program, partnering with the Ottawa County Sheriff's Department and local police agencies.

The county C.H.O.O.S.E. program also offers training for retailers on providing responsible beverage services. The next workshop is Monday, May 18. For details, call Stephanie VanDerKooi at the Ottawa County Health Department at (616) 393-5776.

— From The Holland Sentinel and Tribune reports