Alcohol Compliance Operation 1-23-25

Last night, January 22, 2025, we conducted a compliance check of 34 businesses that sell alcohol within the city limits of Great Falls. The purpose of the operation is to ensure liquor license holders are working to prevent the sale of alcohol to purchasers under the age of 21. We take a zero-tolerance stance on these matters, as the safety of Great Falls’ youth is among our top priorities. The establishments are chosen randomly by the State of Montana; the checks are supported by STOP Act funds provided by Alliance for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention stakeholders. Since the inception of mandatory alcohol server training in the State of Montana, we have seen a dramatic decrease in illegal sales of alcohol to persons under 21 years of age. During last night’s compliance operation, volunteers were 19 or 20 years old and possessed a valid legal identification card or driver’s license. The volunteers showed their identification card to every server or seller who asked to see it. Of the 34 establishments, all were open and an attempt to purchase alcohol took place. 28 of the businesses passed and 6 failed, for a success rate of 82%. This is a lower success rate compared to the last compliance check, conducted in April of 2024 when 91% passed. The businesses and employees who successfully passed deserve well-earned congratulations for their diligence in preventing alcohol sales to underage purchasers. The employees who sold alcohol to the underage buyers were issued a citation for violating MCA 16-3-301 (Unlawful Sales/Transfer to a Person under 21 years of age), a misdemeanor. ESTABLISHMENTS IN COMPLIANCE Aces Tavern - 900 8th Ave NWConoco - 1608 Fox Farm RdConoco - 3601 10th Ave SConoco - 5600 3rd Ave SCowboy's Bar - 311 3rd St NWDouble Nickel Casino - 125 NW BypassGold Dust Casino - 770 6th St SWHalftime Sports Bar 1101 NW BypassHeidelberg - 27 Division RdHi-Ho Tavern - 2600 10th Ave SIke & Susans Casino - 3716 2nd Ave NLido Bar & Casino - 625 1st Ave NWLoaf and Jug - 601 Smelter AveLoaf and Jug - 1225 Central Ave WLoaf and Jug - 3726 7th Ave NLonghorn Lounge - 801 Smelter Ave NENoon's Sinclair - 3200 10th Ave SNoon's Sinclair - 1300 12th Ave SPlayers II Casino - 2126 10th Ave SPoppy's Mini-Mart - 606 15th St SR&R Lounge - 3811 10th Ave SSchulte's - 3800 3rd Ave SSmith's Food and Drug - 1601 Marketplace DrSuper 1 Foods - 3160 10th Ave STaco Treat - 2025 10th Ave SThe Do Bar - 1800 3rd St NWTown Pump - 1400 10th Ave SWhiskey Falls - 721 6th St SW ESTABLISHMENTS IN VIOLATION Albertson's - 1414 3rd St NW (second violation in a row)Heritage Inn/Max Casino - 1700 Fox Farm RdKeith's Country Store -1621 10th Ave SFlamingo - 3028 10th Ave S Holiday West Casino - 1520 3rd St NWLoaf and Jug - 900 1st Ave N “We would like to thank the volunteers and officers who worked extra duty to accomplish this alcohol compliance operation. The compliance checks are certainly not to seek out failures, but to ensure compliance within MCA. We thank the establishments who work so diligently to prevent the sale of alcohol to those under the age of 21. This truly is a community process, requiring a team effort.” Doug Mahlum - Captain

Alcohol Compliance Operation 1-23-25

Premium Membership Required

Author

About Press Release

Welcome,

Premium Membership Required

Author

Related Posts

About Press Release