IMPORTANT NEWS...
Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco Agents Partner with Clay County Sheriff’s Office for Alcohol Compliance Sweep
April 7, 2010
JACKSONVILLE—Yesterday, agents with the Florida Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco, in partnership with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Clay Action Coalition, conducted alcohol compliance checks at restaurants and package stores to check for the sale or service of alcoholic beverages to underage persons. Agents checked 32 establishments and cited five for selling alcohol to an underage person. Five adults were also issued notices to appear for sell or serving to an underage person.
“It is important that we check to make certain that our licensees are following the law and cite them if they are not,” said Interim Secretary Charlie Liem. “Our licensees are our first line of defense in combating underage drinking, and we must engage them as our partners.”
The operation consisted of compliance checks, where investigative aides under 21 years old attempted to purchase alcohol at licensed establishments. Retailers that sold the drinks were issued a notice to appear and educated on checking identification. The establishments that were cited are listed below:
o The Pig: 1330-170 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Fla.
o Woody’s BBQ: 950 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park, Fla.
o Energy Unlimited BP: 5110-1 CR 218, West Middleburg, Fla.
o Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar: 1803 East West Parkway, Fleming Island, Fla.
o Ruby Tuesday: 1521 CR 220, Orange Park, Fla.
The mission of ABT is to keep alcohol and tobacco out of the hands of underage persons, to ensure that licensed establishments are in compliance with the laws and rules regulating the industry in Florida, and to collect taxes and fees related to these industries.
The Department of Business and Professional Regulation’s mission is to license efficiently and regulate fairly. The department licenses more than one million businesses and professionals ranging from real estate agents, veterinarians, and accountants to contractors and cosmetologists. For more information, please visit MyFloridaLicense.com.