3 county retailers fail liquor sales test

BROOKINGS – Three local businesses failed the latest alcohol compliance check, conducted Friday by the Brookings County Sheriff’s Office.

The three were among a dozen stores sheriff’s deputies tested to see whether they would sell alcohol to a 19-year-old buyer.

Failing the countywide sting were:

• Elkton Locker & Grocery, Elkton

• Brownie’s Bar, Aurora

• Deeder’s Bar, Volga.

Assistant Sheriff Scott Sebring said the failure of three businesses to follow the law represents a 25 percent noncompliance rate. The last county compliance checks had a failure rate of 30 percent when three of 10 businesses sold liquor to a minor.

Store clerks making illegal sales can be cited for furnishing alcohol to a person 18-20 years old, and businesses making sales to underage persons may face fines, suspensions or loss of their liquor or malt beverage licenses.