SALISBURY, Md.- Authorities say a routine compliance check conducted Thursday by the Wicomico County Alcohol Task Force resulted in five businesses being cited for underage alcohol sales.
Named "Operation Spot Check," the operations involved the use of task force cadets for sales to underage persons at various licensed establishments throughout the county.
Richard Gardner, chief liquor license inspector for the Wicomico Board of [Liquor] License Commissioners, said that of the 15 establishments checked Thursday, 10 passed and five failed, for a 67 percent pass rate.
The following five businesses failed the check:
- Denny’s, 100 East Cedar Lane, Fruitland
- Thirsty’s, 1053 South Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury
- Price Check, 910 West Road Salisbury
- Cross Road Food Mart, 2601 Old Ocean City Road, Salisbury
- Shell Quick Stop, 900 Snow Hill Rd., Salisbury
The following 10 businesses passed the check:
- Lucky Star, 208 North Fruitland Blvd., Fruitland
- Rositas Taqueria Y Restaurant, 717 Roland St., Salisbury
- Brew River, 502 West Main St., Salisbury
- Naylor Food Corp., 1101 North Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury
- Salisbury Quick Stop, 2513 North Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury
- Beverage Barn, 1120 East Church St., Salisbury
- Wetcher Whistle, 1220 Old Ocean City Road, Salisbury
- Parsonsburg Quick Stop, 7181 Parsonsburg Road, Parsonsburg
- Pittsville Mart, 34430 Old Ocean City Road, Pittsville
- Royal Farms, 1033 South Salisbury Blvd., Salisbury
Gardner said the licensees of the establishments that failed the compliance checks will be required to appear before the Board of [Liquor] License Commissioners for a show cause hearing whereupon they could face fines or suspensions of their liquor licenses, or both. The clerks who sold the alcohol to the cadet will be charged by the officers of the task force, according to Gardner.
The task force is comprised of the Wicomico County Liquor License Department, Maryland State Police, the Wicomico County Sheriff's Office, the Salisbury and Fruitland police departments, as well as the Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office.