Seven retailers in Albert Lea failed alcohol compliance checks conducted last week by the Albert Lea Police Department.

Of the 33 licensed alcohol retailers, the following businesses failed checks: 112 on Broadway, A1 Liquor, Cheers Liquor, Eddie’s Bar, Elbow Room, Liquor Depot and Wedgewood Cove.

Compliance checks are conducted annually to make certain that alcohol and tobacco licensed businesses are properly checking the ages of their customers, according to a press release.

All 26 of the tobacco retailers checked for compliance passed the checks.

Though the legal age for purchasing tobacco products in Minnesota is 18, the city has an additional ordinance in place that allows tobacco retailers to only sell to people 21 years of age or older. The ordinance was enacted to increase the gap between school-age teens and the people who supply tobacco to minors.

The sale or furnishing of alcohol to a minor is a gross misdemeanor and is punishable by a $1,000 fine, one year in jail or both.

Licensed alcohol retailers also risk sanctions and fines for failure to pass compliance checks.

The Police Department will continue to provide server training to alcohol retailers in an effort to keep alcohol from youth, the release stated.