Three Rome businesses cited for underage alcohol sales

Three Rome businesses cited for underage alcohol sales

June 24, 2020–10:41 a.m.

STAFF REPORTS

Three Rome businesses have penalized for selling alcohol to minors.

19 stores were checked during a recent operation conducted by the State of Georgia and the Rome Police Departments with three being cited for underage sales.

Rome City Clerk Joe Smith said a hearing was held by the alcohol control commission and representatives from the three businesses were in attendance.

“No one denied that this had happened, they apologized and asked for leniency,” Smith said.  “In all three cases, it was a first offense.”

Coastal Food Mart at 1701 Turner McCall Boulevard and Maple Food Mart at 2017 Maple Avenue were given a letter of warning and a $500 monetary penalty.

The Latino Food Mart at 702 Shorter Avenue received a letter of warning and a $200 penalty.

Rome City Commissioner Wendy Davis explained why the monetary penalty was less for Latino Food Mart.

“His circumstances seemed a little bit different,” she said.  “He had to travel out of the country due to a family health crisis and had gotten an employee to fill in while he was gone.  He immediately fired that staffer when he found out about the situation.”