Seven of 25 Clatsop County businesses sold alcohol to minors Feb. 17 during a compliance test conducted by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, Sheriff’s deputies and Astoria police officers.

Put another way, 22 percent flunked the test. That’s better than the statewide average, which hovers between 27 and 30 percent, said OLCC spokesman Ken Palke, but “still too high.”

“We would prefer a much lower rate,” he said, but added that Clatsop County’s relatively good showing indicates a commitment to stopping underage drinking.

Compliance testing is a key part of the OLCC’s priority effort to curtail underage drinking, which Palke said is a real problem in Clatsop County, as well as the state and the rest of the country. Stores and bars are required to check the identification of anyone who looks 26 or younger. Palke said the seven places that sold to minors need to work on paying closer attention to those rules.

Five of the seven businesses that sold alcohol to a minor during the test are located in Astoria: Cafe Uniontown, 218 W. Marine Drive; Astoria Downtown Market, 1020 Commercial St.; Las Maracas Restaurant, 229 W. Marine Drive; Columbian Cafe-Voodoo Room, 1114 Marine Drive; and Wet Dog Cafe, 144 11th St. The other two are Tolovana Park Grocery, 3115 S. Hemlock St., in Cannon Beach and Partee Room, 451 Ave. U, in Seaside.

Businesses that sell and/or serve alcohol must be licensed by the OLCC. Servers and bartenders or licensees whose employees provide alcohol to the minor or fail to verify their age, face administrative sanctions including fines or license suspensions. Store clerks who sell are cited into court and face at least a $350 fine. The businesses’ licensed owners (licensees) face fines of $990 to $1,650 and more, and may also have their licenses suspended temporarily.

In a compliance test, minor volunteers attempt to buy alcohol from licensees or their employees to determine if they are properly checking identification and obeying state law prohibiting alcohol sales to anyone younger than 21. Palke said the tests are carried out by decoys between 18 and 20 years old, who look their age and present their own I.D. if requested. Often, the decoys are interested in a career in law enforcement, he said. He emphasized that “no subterfuge is involved” and said the usual procedure is for the decoy “to get a can of beer or two, set it on the counter and see what happens.”

The 18 businesses that refused to sell to the minor were: Lower Columbia Bowl, 826 Marine Drive; American Legion Post 12, 1132 Exchange St.; Astoria Hong Kong Restaurant, 2813 Marine Drive; One Stop of Astoria, 469 W. Marine Drive; Portway, 422 W. Marine Drive; Lattitudes, 1313 Marine Drive; The Logger, 42929 Old Highway. 30; Workers Bar & Grill, 281 W. Marine Drive; River Theatre, 230 W. Marine Drive; Triangle Tavern, 222 W. Marine Drive; Small Stop, 180 Marine Drive; Andrew & Steve’s Chartroom, 1196 Marine Drive; Olney General Store & Big O Saloon, 89523 Hwy. 202; Merrytime Restaurant & Lounge, 995 Marine Drive; Desdemona Club, 2997 Marine Drive; The Ship Inn, No. 1 Second St.; Eagles Lodge, 894 Commercial St.; and Safeway, 3250 Leif Erikson Drive, all in the Astoria area; and Rite Aid, 313 S. Roosevelt Drive; Safeway, 410 S. Roosevelt Drive; Seaside Liquor Store, 740 Avenue H; Sea Breeze Restaurant, 84774 Highway 101; Hamlet Kwik Stop, Hamlet Route, Box 1001; Ken & Sons Select Market, 250 Ave. U; Relief Pitcher Tavern, Hamlet Route, Box 195, all in the greater Seaside area.