Following a string of incidents, two Towson bars are feeling the heat from local authorities after being fined for serving alcohol to underage individuals. The Baltimore County Board of Liquor License Commissioners imposed a $250 fine on Kent House and a heftier $750 fine on World of Wine for these violations. Additionally, they advocated for improved staff training at both establishments to prevent such occurrences in the future, WBALTV reported.
The scenario unfolded when undercover police cadets managed to obtain alcoholic beverages at both locations. At the board meeting, World of Wine's attorney highlighted a mix-up involving an adult officer and the cadets, leading to the underage sale. According to the establishment's owner, G. Singh, the responsible waitress expressed shock upon realizing the mistake, insisting she was well-versed in the law. Meanwhile, George Georges of Kent Lounge attributed their slip-up to a lapse in staff vigilance at their doors, and noted the difficulty in keeping up with the increasingly sophisticated fake IDs that can even bypass scanners. "The cadet slipped through and here we are," Georges stated, WBALTV reported.
These fines come on the heels of another local bar, The Greene Turtle, facing harsher penalties. Not only was the bar fined $1,000 for selling to minors, but it was also prohibited from selling alcohol on Thursdays throughout October after unruly gatherings spilled onto York Road during the notorious "Thirsty Thursdays." This series of events has led The Greene Turtle to announce it will shut its doors by year's end, citing deteriorating business conditions in Towson, WMAR-2 News explained.
Amidst the regulatory crackdown, bar owners are being reminded of the importance of meticulous ID checks and staff training to ensure compliance with the law. With the next hearing for another accused establishment, Charles Village Pub, postponed to November 3.
