GFPD conducts alcohol compliance check, five businesses fail

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The Great Falls Police Department conducted an alcohol compliance check on April 11.

They checked on 25 businesses selling alcohol within the city limits to ensure liquor license holders are not selling to people under 21 years of age.

“We take a zero tolerance stance on these matters, as the safety of Great Falls’ youth is among our top priorities. The establishments are chosen randomly by the State of Montana, and these checks are supported by STOP act funds provided by the Alliance for Youth Substance Abuse Prevention stakeholders. Since the inception of mandatory alcohol server training in the State of Montana, we have seen a dramatic decrease in illegal sales of alcohol to persons under 21 years of age,” according to the GFPD.

GFPD conducts alcohol compliance check, nine businesses fail [2023]

During the April 11 compliance operation, volunteers were 19 or 20 years old and possessed a valid legal identification card or driver’s license.

The volunteers showed their identification card to every server or seller who asked to see them.

Of the 25 establishments checked, three were closed or not open to the public, 17 passed and five failed, for a success rate of 91 percent, according to GFPD.

That’s higher than the last compliance check from August 2023 when 76 percent passed.

The employees who sold alcohol to the underage buyers were issued a citation for violating state law.

The establishments that failed the compliance check, according to GFPD, were:

  • Albertson’s at 1414 3rd St. N.W.
  • Hollis’ Hi Ho at 2600 10th Ave. S.
  • Players 2 Casino at 2126 10th Ave. S.
  • Smith’s Food at 1601 Marketplace Drive
  • Taco Treat at 2025 10th Ave. S.

Establishments that were closed or in compliance were:

  • 2J’s Natural Food at 105 Smelter Ave. N.E.
  • 5 Cent Casino at 211 Northwest Bypass
  • Aces Tavern at 900 8th Ave. N.W.
  • Albertsons at 2250 10th Ave. S.
  • Applebees at 223 River Drive S.
  • Conoco/Noon’s at 5600 3rd Ave. S.
  • Cowboy’s Bar at 311 3rd St. N.W.
  • Eagle Falls Golf Club at 29 River Road N.
  • Fortune Casino at 722 6th St. N.W.
  • Gold Dust Casino at 770 6th St. S.W.
  • Great Falls Flying J at 3715 31st St. S.W.
  • Halftime Sports Bar at 1101 Northwest Bypass
  • Icarus at 1200 10th Ave. S.
  • Kohoutek’s State Liquor Store at 1100 20th St. S.
  • Loaf N Jug at 900 1st Ave. N.
  • Mackenzie River Pizza at 500 River Dive S.
  • Maple Garden at 5401 9th Ave. S.
  • oble’s West Side Liquor Store at 623 1st Ave. N.W.
  • Players Casino at 4305 10th Ave. S.
  • Snits at 619 Central Ave.