The Oak House bartender fails alcohol compliance check
Updated June 28, 3 p.m.
The Oak House failed an alcohol compliance check conducted by Town of Elon Police during a private event, according to a police report and Phil Smith, owner of The Oak House.
The shop was open past its normal hours June 23 for a “private event with a 21+ aged crowd from an area conference,” according to Smith, when James Perry, Town of Elon assistant police chief, sent a 19-year-old male and 17-year-old female inside.
Perry was conducting an alcohol compliance check on local establishments, according to the police report. When the 19-year-old ordered a beer, the bartender didn’t ask for ID and delivered the beer to the table along with a receipt.
It’s the second time since The Oak House opened that it’s failed a compliance check.
“Unfortunately, one of our employees was cited on June 23 for selling a beer to an underage buyer who came in as part of a Town of Elon police department compliance check,” Smith said.
“Our employee admittedly made a false assumption and failed to ask for the ID. I’ve never observed the employee failing to ask for ID when appropriate,” Smith added. “The employee cited did participate in responsible server training led by NC Alcohol Law Enforcement, and is typically meticulous about checking ID’s.”
The Oak House’s policy is to ask for ID from anyone whom management does not know to be 21 years of age or older, Smith said.
“I have known our employees to be diligent in following this policy, especially in light of a previous citation in early [February] 2015,” he said. “ I have alerted our employees about this situation and again reminded them of the importance of checking IDs.”
Smith said The Oak House will continue to send employees for training and emphasize the importance of complying with the applicable laws.
“To say this will never happen again would be unwise, so I will say that we will do all we can to ensure employees comply with the law,” Smith said. “Our goal as a business remains to offer a space where community members can enjoy both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages in a socially responsible atmosphere.”
According to Perry there are two repercussions. The bartender has a citation in which he will go to court to answer charges. Likewise, The Oak House will go through a procedure with the North Carolina Alcohol Beverage Control Commission.
