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A BC liquor store, that argued its store assistant should pay the fine for serving a 17-year-old a six-pack of beer and not the business, has been shuttered for a week.

According to a July 13 Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch decision, the store fired the shop assistant after they didn't check ID and sold a teenager beer during a sting operation.

The decision says the teen entered the New Westminster Old Terminal Liquor Store store in January and bought a six-pack of Kronenbourg 1664 Blanc. Moments later, the liquor inspector advised he was part of an undercover operation and the store had just sold alcohol to a 17-year-old.

The Liquor and Cannabis Regulation Branch said a first-time offence will result in a $7,000 to $11,000 fine or a seven to 11-day suspension.

The store's licensee Vicky Singla appealed the decision and argued as a business it had done its due diligence to inform staff not to serve alcohol to those underage.

The store argued it had fired the cashier for the mistake and submitted an undated and unsigned letter from the former store assistant saying they accepted "complete responsibility" for the sale and regrets that it occurred.

In its defence, the store argued it only took over the businesses in 2021 after it had been shut for a year due to COVID and it was in a "very unsafe area" and it was difficult to attract customers.

However, the Liquor Branch didn't buy the reason saying holding a liquor license was a "privilege and not a right" and they had to follow the law.

READ MORE: Kamloops liquor store fined $9K in underage sting operation

The store argued it had done its "due diligence" and had policies in place to ensure staff didn't sell alcohol to minors and a staff meeting was held every 15 days during which the ID policy was discussed.

However, the Liquor Branch said the licensee had not "clearly demonstrated" an "atmosphere of ensuring compliance."

The store the argued it should be the fired worker who pays a $595 fine and not the business.

"In taking this position, the Licensee has obviously not referenced the (Liquor) Act, the Regulation, the Licence, the Terms and Conditions Handbook, or the Notice of Enforcement Action," the decision read. "In these documents, it is clear that the finding that the Licensee is liable for the contravention involving the sale of liquor to minor."

READ MORE: Kootenay bar shuttered for being over capacity by a 'small number'

While liquor stores normally have a choice between paying a fine or being closed, the decision said the store didn't say which it wanted.

Ultimately, the Liquor Branch decided the store should close its doors for a week and issued a seven-day liquor suspension that starts Aug. 14.

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