La Plata, MD – It just goes to show, even someone who has been in the alcohol industry for more than four decades can still fall victim to that one slip that ends up before the Charles County Board of License Commissioners (Liquor Board).
That was certainly the case for Napoli Pizzeria at Acton Square in Waldorf, whose server, Brenda Joyce Stanford, was mortified when she discovered she had served a Red Apple Ale to an underage alcohol enforcement officer May 25.
She told the Liquor Board she had been serving alcohol in the county for 46 years. Business owner Cynthia Lynn Skaltsis said the incident was something they never experienced before.
“We were extremely busy that day,” Skaltsis said. “I was helping her clear tables. Two people had called in sick. We’d never had this happen before.”
Master Cpl. Judith Thompson told the board the waitress asked for an ID, the birthdate of a vertical Virginia driver’s license which read 7-29-97.
“The officer said the waitress looked at the ID and wrote something down on corner of her pad,” Thompson stated. “She then returned with both beverages. She said this never happened before and that the vertical license from Virginia threw her off. Ms. Skaltsis said this was not like her.”
Skaltsis explained that Stanford was shocked when she discovered her mistake.
“She said she checked the ID,” the owner said. “‘She said, ‘Oh my God, I thought it was [19]95.’ ”
The owner said her server has worked at Napoli for four years.
“After this incident, we card 100 percent,” Skaltsis emphasized. “We don’t do vertical. A couple of weeks ago a girl was 25 and still had a vertical license. She became very upset that we wouldn’t serve her, but I told her that is our policy now. We don’t take a vertical license even if you’re over 21. Some people respect that. A couple of people have left the establishment.”
She added that Stanford was her most dependable server.
“I was totally shocked that it was her of all people,” she said.
Thompson said the restaurant had passed seven compliance checks in the past from 2016, 2013, 2010, 2009, 2009, 2007 and 2005.
“Businesses are always to be commended when you’ve operated this far without a problem,” Liquor Board Member Guy Black stated.
Member Steve Howe suggested a $750 fine for the business, a $50 fine for the server and three days held in abeyance should a future infraction occur, and the board concurred.
Contact Joseph Norris at joe.norris@thebaynet.com