Seven New Hope Businesses Fail Tobacco, Alcohol Compliance Checks
The New Hope City Council approved fines and penalties for seven businesses caught selling tobacco or alcohol products to minors.
The penalties were approved at its Dec. 12 meeting.
New Hope police conducted compliance checks on Oct. 17 at 33 establishments that sell alcohol and/or tobacco products. It was the first violation for the seven businesses cited.
The businesses include: Speedway (tobacco violation), Family Dollar (tobacco), LaPicante Market (tobacco), Holiday (tobacco), Cinema Grill (liquor), New Hope Liquors (tobacco and liquor) and Winnetka Liquor (tobacco and liquor)
The fine for a first-time tobacco violation is $300. For alcohol it’s $250. Each must also undergo sales training or receive a 3-day license suspension.
City leaders say they take such violations very seriously.
“We have to make sure, in fact, we’re not putting tobacco in the hands of juveniles. And so I get concerned with ‘well, it was a mistake.’ Well, it was a big one,” said New Hope City Council member John Elder.
example of underage driver’s license
All Minnesota licenses for drivers under 21 are vertical compared to horizontal licenses for those of legal age. Licenses for minors also show “under 21” in red with the date they turn of legal age to buy alcohol or tobacco.
Some business owners also told the council that they have since installed technology that require IDs to be scanned.
“I know it’s very serious. This is protecting our children,” said Winnetka Liquor owner Gherense Neguse, who told the council he has raised two children himself. “Unfortunately, I had a very bad day.”
The city of New Hope does two compliance checks a year.
“Ultimately, the goal is to have no offenders,” said New Hope Mayor Kathi Hemken.
