Bar faces penalties for serving underage customers

In a recent government meeting, the St. Mary's County Alcohol Beverage Board addressed a violation involving the sale of alcohol to an underage individual. The incident occurred on March 21, 2024, during a compliance check conducted by the Sheriff's Office. A confidential informant, aged 18, was sent into Antoinette's Garden in Leonardtown, where they successfully purchased alcohol without being asked for identification.

During the meeting, the board heard testimony from Joan Padgett, the licensee of Antoinette's Garden, who acknowledged the violation. Padgett explained that she had been under stress due to her final semester at school, which contributed to her oversight in checking IDs. She expressed her commitment to improving her practices, stating that she would prioritize checking identification and being more vigilant with younger patrons in the future.

The board discussed the establishment's training protocols, noting that while there is a policy in place regarding the sale of alcohol, it is not documented in writing. This lack of formal training documentation was highlighted as a concern.

Following the discussions, the board unanimously approved a penalty of $150 for the violation. The meeting underscored the importance of compliance with alcohol regulations and the need for establishments to implement effective training and identification verification processes to prevent underage sales.