Staff Writer

DeKALB | A Thirsty Liquors trainee was fired for selling alcohol to an underage customer.

As a result, Nick Tsiftilis, owner of Thirsty Liquors, 1039 W. Hillcrest Drive, attended a hearing Wednesday with the city of DeKalb’s Liquor commission.

“On Dec. 6, 2007, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission operated a sting [on Thirsty Liquors],” said DeKalb’s City Attorney Norma Guess.

The clerk, who was in training, allowed an underage customer to purchase liquor, Guess said. The customer was part of the sting.

This is Thirsty Liquors’ second offense in a 12 month period, and therefore its fine was raised and it was required to pay court fees.

Tsiftilis is taking numerous steps to crack down on possible sales to underage patrons at both the Thirsty Liquors and Starbusters establishments.

All employees will be required to complete TIPS (Training for Intervention Procedures), and a handbook will implemented into both establishments. New registers that require a birth date to continue the sale will also be put in at the establishment.