Bismarck's Doublewood Inn will continue to serve alcohol though sales violations did put its liquor license in jeopardy.

Doublewood faced suspension or revocation of its license since it was found twice to have broken city laws of selling alcohol to a minor within a one-year period. Because of these circumstances, the city commission held a hearing regarding the Doublewood's authority to sell alcohol as required by ordinance.

City attorney Charlie Whitman explained that Doublewood clerks were twice convicted of delivering alcohol to a minor, the first occurring Nov. 3, 2006, and the next on April 24. Both incidents occurred during Bismarck Police Department-controlled checks.

Attorney Tim Purdon, representing Doublewood, told commissioners the Doublewood is a longtime Bismarck business, a good corporate citizen and had taken corrective measures because of the incidents.

"First and foremost, let me assure you that we don't make light of this incident," said managing partner Shannon Gangl. "We're opposed to having minors in the establishment and the serving of them."

Gangl said in both incidents the server in question did card the minor, but failed to read the license correctly. The first offender was fired, though the second was retained as a valued employee. The business did work with the police department to have employees go through training and also purchased an electronic card reader after the second offense.

"It was apparent to me, that unless I was there 24 hours a day, there would always be a human element," Gangl said. "We found out that they make card readers that can tell you if the holder is legal or not. We did purchase it and are using it. I can't tell you how important this matter is to me, and we're doing everything within our power to make sure it doesn't happen again."

Every employee serving alcohol must now meet with Gangl before going out on the floor, and he goes through exactly how to card someone.

"I've heard the excuse 'that we were so busy …' but I've made it imperative to them that we don't care if someone has to wait for service, we have to be responsible," Gangl said.

Purdon asked that any action by the city be suspended or not imposed. He noted that other businesses that had similar violations had been treated in such a manner.

Past violations have brought five-day suspensions that are deferred for a year, and if no further violations are committed, is waived. Whitman pointed out that if a third violation does occur within that time, the five-day suspension is imposed along with any other penalty the commission decides on.

Only one business has actually served a suspension following two violations within a year's time. In that case, a representative of the business failed to appear before the city commission.

Commissioner Dave Jensen motioned to defer the suspension for a year and it was unanimously approved.

(Reach reporter Gordon Weixel at 250-8255 or gordon.weixel@;bismarcktribune.com.)