WHEATON – Five Wheaton businesses will be brought before the city’s Liquor Commission on Feb. 13 after police compliance operations reported the stores and restaurants sold alcohol to minors.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill, Warren’s Ale House, Smashburger, Aldi and Front Street Cocina were issued tickets in recent months, according to Director of Planning and Economic Development Jim Kozik. They must appear in front of the commission to face a possible fine or liquor license suspension.

The businesses reportedly failed to comply during the Wheaton Police Department’s latest random undercover operations, according to Cmdr. Jim Volpe.

“We will hit every establishment probably at least twice during a year,” Volpe said. “We report to the Liquor Commission at the end of each fiscal year.”

Volpe said the department likely executed operations at more than 40 of the city’s liquor license holders during the last several months. To test compliance, he said, an officer worked with an undercover minor, or “decoy.” After coaching, the minor attempted to buy alcohol from one of the license holders using their real identification.

If they aren’t carded or are given alcohol anyway, Volpe said, the business is issued a ticket, and must go to court and appear in front of the commission.

At the hearing, the city enters the allegation into public record and the licensee can plead their case, Commission Chairman Mark Taylor said.

“The Liquor Commission members ask questions, probe about what actually took place,” he said. “Then we determine a recommendation to the mayor with regard to a penalty for each violation.”

Taylor said punishments range from a fine to license revocation for repeat offenders. However, he said, in his more than 20 years as chairman, the city has never taken away a business’s license.

Though the amount varies and he hadn’t seen the materials for the Feb. 13 hearing, Taylor said five is a high number of businesses to receive such tickets.

“I remember at least one or two years that the Police Department did their sting that everybody passed,” he said. “It’s disappointing.”

The commission last met for a license violation Aug. 8 for Il Sogno, according to the city’s website.

Representatives from Romano’s, Warren’s and Front Street Cocina declined to comment on the upcoming hearings. Smashburger and Aldi did not respond to requests for comment before press time.

Volpe said the effort isn’t about seeing how many restaurants, grocery stores and other businesses the department can punish.

“We have a lot of establishments that sell liquor, and we’re very cognizant that underage people will try and buy it, so we try to keep a real close eye on that,” he said. “Avoiding underage consumption, underage driving after they have been underage drinking – it all starts with making sure that establishments in town don’t even sell it. Luckily, happily, we have a very good rate of compliance.”

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Businesses appearing at the Feb. 13 Liquor Commission hearing

• Romano's Macaroni Grill – 21 Blanchard Circle

• Warren's Ale House – 51 Town Square

• Smashburger – 1 Rice Lake Square

• Aldi – 20 W. Loop Road

• Front Street Cocina – 112 N. Hale St.