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04/03/2009
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Staff photo by David Leamingfrom the Kennebec Journal
FAIRPOINT PLAN TARGETS DEBT
Wind project off Mass. meets strong resistance
Three bills seek tougher rules for petitioners
New rules for special education debated
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AUGUSTA: Cuts to French curriculum run into opposition
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL: Hall-Dale drops MVC title game to Mountain Valley
HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NOTEBOOK: Different stakes in Gardiner-Winslow rivalry
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FairPoint reorganization plan aims to slash company's debt
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HIGH SCHOOL HOCKEY NOTEBOOK: Gardiner, Winslow take to ice again
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from the Morning Sentinel
These were just the most visible steps he's taken to discourage underage drinking.
Noel and his employees also have taken specific training to educate them on drinking laws and how to identify false identification cards.
The sandwich and pizza shop, located a short walk from Messalonskee High School, eliminated delivering alcoholic beverages to homes about two years ago as well.
Underage drinkers, he said, are now far less likely to try buying a six-pack at the store.
"Ever since we put all these policies into effect, we've seen a decline in it," he said. "People know we are tough and on the ball." The Northern Kennebec Underage Drinking Task Force knows the Korner Store's reputation, too.
That's why the group has named the shop its Retailer of the Year.
Noel said he realized that he risked losing sales by making the changes.
"We were concerned," he said, "at least at first, especially in this day and age where every dollar counts."
Tracey Frost, school resource officer at Messalonskee High School, said he applauded the moves but also wondered about the impact on Korner Store's business.
"I think at first we were all kind of watching to see what would happen," he said. "The good news is it doesn't seem to have affected his bottom line."
That is the case, Noel said.
Sales of deli sandwiches and pizza have remained strong and customers have been supportive, he said.
"They are great people," Noel said. "They understand where we were coming from. They let us do our thing."
Frost said getting stores that sell alcohol to be vigilant about enforcing underage drinking laws is a key component to preventing the problem.
"What we want to try to do is stop it at the source," Frost said, "and this is at the stores, and without the stores' cooperation that is just not going to happen."
So far, he said, retailers seem committed to the initiative.
The Underage Drinking Task Force sent several underage people -- all of them Department of Corrections employees -- to about 15 convenience stores in Oakland, Belgrade, Rome, Sidney, Mount Vernon and China. "Every convenience store they went to refused the sale," Frost said.
Frost said outcome was in keeping with the results they have seen since starting the program last year.
"We have been really surprised," he said. "We went into this thinking that those numbers (of illegal sales) would be higher, and they haven't been, which is really heartening."
Colin Hickey -- 861-9205
chickey@centralmaine.com
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