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Easy Stop fined $1,000 after underage-sale finding in Knox County
Summary
After a Feb. 24, 2025 compliance check, the Knox County Beer Board voted 6-0 on March 31 to assess a $1,000 civil penalty to Easy Stop (7501 Tazewell Pike, District 8); the store representative described layered employee training and mystery-shop checks and said the store would pay the fine.
The Knox County Beer Board assessed a $1,000 civil penalty to Easy Stop, 7501 Tazewell Pike, after a sheriff's office compliance check found a sale of beer following an ID check that was not scanned.
The clerk introduced the item and the Knox County Sheriff's Office told the board that on Feb. 24, 2025 officers conducted an alcohol compliance check at Easy Stop and the defendant sold beer after checking the ID but failed to scan it.
Tommy Hunt, who identified himself in the hearing as "Tommy Hunt, president of These Stuff Food Marks Incorporated," acknowledged the store failed the check. Hunt described the store's training protocol, saying the initial RTO certificate covers early employee training and that employees complete monthly computer-based reviews. He also said the company uses an outside contractor for mystery-shopper checks and that locations that fail are required to retrain staff. "We try, but we're not perfect, obviously," Hunt said.
As this was treated as a first offense, the board offered the option of a $1,000 civil penalty or a 30-day beer permit suspension. Hunt said the store would pay the fine. Commissioner Thompson moved to assess the $1,000 fine and Commissioner Jackson seconded. The board voted by roll call; the motion carried on a 6-0 vote.
After the vote the chair again recommended training resources from the Metropolitan Drug Coalition and board members reiterated the seriousness of compliance with age-restricted-sales rules.
