Seven Harford County liquor stores and restaurants were fined by the county's Liquor Control Board Wednesday after their operators admitted serving alcohol to minors during compliance tests from March and April.
Herb's Deli & Spirits in Edgewood and Post Road Liquors in Havre de Grace were both fined $2,000 following hearings before the board .
Lin's Hibachi, in Havre de Grace; Wayback Burgers, in Bel Air; Hess Country Spirits, in White Hall; Harvey's Jr., in Darlington; and Bourbon Market Bar & Grill, in Aberdeen were each fined $1,000.
The liquor board conducted the compliance tests on March 20, March 26 and April 11, using underage college students who try to purchase alcohol at licensed establishments under supervision of liquor inspectors and with cooperation from local police agencies.
Overall, the majority of the businesses tested passed, with success rates of 90 percent, 93 percent and 76 percent, respectively, for the three tests, according to the liquor board staff.
All the licensees who appeared before the board Wednesday admitted to making a mistake and were contrite.
Board Chairman Michael Thomson pointed out that, in addition to facing action by the board against their license, the people at the business who serve the minor during a compliance test face a criminal citation.
He asked one server, Walter Hayward at Herb's, how he felt about the accompanying criminal notice.
"I absolutely feel horrendous," Hayward said, explaining he works for the government and is concerned about his security clearance. "The weight of it is immense."
Board member Vernon Gauss was alone in voting against the $1,000 fine for Bourbon Market & Grill, which he thought wasn't high enough.
The business's owners came in for criticism when they applied for their license in January. At the time, Chief Inspector Charles Robbins warned the board that the restaurant seemed to be "just a bar," even applying for a restaurant license.
Gauss wanted to fine Bourbon Market $2,000. He said the board had been unsure about issuing them a license in the first place. He said he hopes "not to see them again next year."
Board member Thomas Fidler, however, motioned for a $1,000 fine, saying he just wanted "to make sure we are consistent with some of the ones we have done in the past."
"I think the licensee has been put on notice," Fidler said. "We are going to be watching them very closely."
The board also approved one-day beer and wine licenses for a June 4 lecture at Ladew Topiary Gardens, a fiesta on June 5 and June 6 at Prince of Peace Church, a Celtic Festival on June 6 and June 7 at Steppingstone Museum and a June 20 Blues Festival at Steppingstone Museum.