Five businesses have been fined hundreds of dollars for selling alcohol to underage customers in Normal, including a convenience store which now has three such violations in a single year, according to town officials.
Last month, Normal Mayor Chris Koos, acting as liquor commissioner, signed an order fining Casey’s at 1930 North Linden $1,000 for providing alcohol to someone younger than 21 on Friday, Jan. 24. Casey’s pleaded guilty to its third offense in a year and has paid the penalty, according to a report from town staff.
Also pleading guilty were first time offenders DESTIHL Restaurant and Brew Works at 318 South Towanda Avenue, Flame@Bloom at 307 Veterans Parkway, the CVS Pharmacy at 1701 Fort Jesse Road, and Firehouse Pizza & Pub at 129 East Beaufort Street. All four businesses were fined $250. Flame@Bloom and Firehouse have not yet paid their fines, according to the staff’s report.
Normal Police occasionally conduct sting operations in which people younger than 21 work undercover to buy alcohol from businesses with liquor licenses. Police said they caught six businesses selling to underage customers during a sting operation in August of last year, and eight businesses during a sting operation in June of last year.
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