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Knox County Beer Board fines Gap Creek Market $1,000 after underage sale
Summary
The Knox County Beer Board imposed a $1,000 civil penalty on Gap Creek Market after the store pleaded guilty to selling alcohol to an underage person; the board said it treated the license as a privilege and stressed improved training and ID-scanning procedures.
The Knox County Beer Board on Feb. 24 imposed a $1,000 civil penalty on Gap Creek Market, which pleaded guilty to selling an alcoholic beverage to an underage person during a Jan. 27 compliance check.
The vote followed a sheriff’s office report that the store sold alcohol without checking ID. Anquita Patel, who identified herself as the respondent for Gap Creek Market, pleaded guilty and told the board the sale occurred on the employee’s first day, saying the employee “didn't even ask for the ID.” She told commissioners the store has implemented ID-scanning procedures and that the former employee is no longer employed.
Board members noted the incident was the business’s first offense under county procedures and gave the owner a choice between a $1,000 civil penalty or a 30-day suspension of the license. After the respondent chose the $1,000 fine, Commissioner Jay moved to impose the penalty, Commissioner Hill seconded, and the motion passed unanimously on a roll-call vote.
Chair closing remarks reminded the respondent that a beer license is a privilege and instructed the clerk’s office to provide follow-up information on next steps. The board did not impose additional conditions beyond the fine at the meeting.
