The Jefferson City Liquor Control Board upheld a one-day liquor license suspension of Xpress Liquor & Smokes after the store owner appealed the initial suspension.
At the hearing Wednesday, officer Christopher Gosche testified he witnessed a 19-year-old male purchase a 25-ounce can of Busch Light at Xpress Liquor & Smokes, at 510 Ellis Blvd., Suite A, on March 12.
According to the police report, the store employee, David Y. Robinson, was informed by another officer he sold alcohol to a minor. Robinson was then released on a municipal summons for supplying alcohol to a minor.
The store and the owners, Jignesh Kumar Patel and Dinesh Kumar Patel, have had no previous violations.
Jignesh Kumar Patel said Wednesday he acknowledged the mistake and was there to ask for forgiveness.
"We violated the law," Patel said. "We should not be charged that strict of a penalty."
Patel said the store takes every step possible to ensure all employees comply with the law, including monthly training and a system that requires a date of birth be entered into the system when selling alcohol. He said the store can take all possible measures, but at a certain point, it all depends on the employee at the time.
"At the end of the day, it depends on the employee," Patel said.
Patel said the license suspension would penalize the business, not the employee. When asked, Patel said Robinson was still employed at Xpress Liquor. He said the store policy is to terminate an employee after the second time they are written up, and this was Robinson's first incident.
After discussing the evidence and testimony presented, the board unanimously decided to uphold the one-day suspension, which is now set for May 28.
The business has the option of further appealing the board's decision to the Cole County Circuit Court within 30 days.