Pierceton Liquor Store’s License Renewed After Fine Paid
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David Slone-dslone@timesuniononline.com
Since the fine was paid and all the questions were answered, the Kosciusko Alcohol and Tobacco Commission Thursday approved the renewal of Pierceton Discount Liquors’ beer, wine and liquor – package store license.
The liquor store, owned by Scott’s Package Liquors Inc., is at 101 S. First St., Pierceton.
General Manager Christopher Geiger had attended August’s ATC meeting as well, but it was tabled until Thursday because not enough information was known about a violation. Geiger told the board in August that he didn’t know much about the violation then because he never received it. He assumed it went to the previous owner’s address, but she had died.
On Thursday, Geiger said he believed the violation was in March.
“We had an employee that sold alcohol to a minor and then was cited for underage sales and, I think, letting a minor on the premises,” he said.
Excise officer and Commission member April Tackett said there was one violation but three charges – sale to a minor, allowing a minor to loiter and failure to check ID.
Geiger said that was correct and then explained that the fine was $1,500.
“Originally, I hadn’t received any mail because of the situation with the owner passing away,” Geiger said. “The executor apparently had the mail and didn’t even know it at the time, so after the last hearing, I got with her and found out there was a $1,500 fine and I went ahead and paid that a couple weeks ago.”
Tackett said Tammy Keirn – the executor of the estate and an attorney – has been “emailing the processor, trying to take care of this fine and that kind of stuff. I did get an email saying it was paid.”
Scott’s Package Liquors owns two stores, one in Pierceton and one in Columbia City, and Geiger said he oversees operations at both.
Asked by Commission President Elim Smith if there was a training program for employees now, Geiger said there always has been and all employees go through the server training.
“She was aware of what she should have done. She thought she knew who the customer was and failed to ID,” Geiger said, adding that the employee is no longer working there.
Including himself, Geiger said the Pierceton business has four employees.
“Did that fine wake you up?” Smith asked.
“A little bit,” Geiger responded.
Commission member Dan Woods made a motion to approve the renewal and it was unanimously approved.
Other renewals approved by the Commission, without violations, included:
• B & E Holding LLC, doing business as Viking Liquor, 112 W. Main St., Mentone, beer, wine and liquor – package store license.
• Dolgencorp LLC, doing business as Dollar General Store #16323, 221 W. School St., Leesburg, beer and wine dealer – grocery store license.
• Gurleen Petroleum Inc., 10010 N. Turkey Creek Road, Syracuse, beer and wine dealer – grocery store license.
• TL Overmyer LLC, doing business as Double Shot Liquor, 104 E. State St., Etna Green, beer, wine and liquor – package store license.
