The November sting operation to net businesses selling alcohol to minors lead to punishment for the 21 out of 53 establishments serving to an undercover minor. City attorney Keith Lovell said the operation is ongoing, so more may face future charges.
The citations were handled in a March meeting of the Cartersville Alcohol Control Board.
First time offenders were offered a deal to plead no contest, accept a $1,000 fine and three-year probation with no right to appeal. Those who accepted the city’s deal include:
Jeffersons, 28 W. Main St.
Ate Track Bar & Grill, 25 N. Wall St.
Amerimart, 1153 A Burnt Hickory Road
Texaco, 2472 Hwy. 411
Circle K, 501 N. Tennessee St.
El Dorado, 910 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy.
Tarasco’s Tacos and Wings, 1350 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy. Suite 115
Sunoco, 2471 Hwy. 411
Sunoco Stop ‘n Shop, 700 Joe Frank Harris Pkwy.
Travel Center Shell, 1340 E. Main St.
Cartersville Beverage, 831 West Ave.
Those who didn’t initially take the deal or had second were mandated to appear before the Alcohol License Board. Those included:
Applebee’s, 185 Cherokee Place, second violation, $2,000 fine, 30-day alcohol license suspension, five-year probation.
The Local Bar and Grill, 120 S. Erwin St. first violation, $1,000 fine and three-year probation.
El Nopal, 540 Old Mill Road, first violation, $1,000 fine and three-year probation.
ABC Liquor, 330 Cherokee Place, first violation, $1,000 fine and three-year probation
IMP Fuel/Gas, 301 S. Erwin St, first violation, $1,000 fine and three-year probation
BP Foodmart, 263 Cassville Rd., first violation, $1,000 fine and three-year probation
Two stores asked for an extension so they can obtain attorneys. Those were:
Citgo Express, 1144 N. Tennessee St.
Mack’s Marathon, 1129 N. Tennessee St.
Melody Dareing is a freelance writer for publications in the U.S, Canada, the UK and Germany. She is a former news director of Adelphia Channel 4 and WBHF Radio. She is on Facebook, X, YouTube, content on Substack, and has a podcast on Rumble.