IOWA CITY – The Iowa City Police Department conducted alcohol sales law compliance checks on March 13 and March 20, 2026, at dozens of businesses. 16 businesses checked by police sold to the underage buyers, and the employees that committed the infraction will face a salty penalty.
Working with plainclothes officers, underage persons entered these businesses and attempted to illegally purchase alcoholic beverages.
On March 20, forty-two businesses refused to sell alcohol to the underage buyers. Eight businesses checked by police sold to the underage buyers. The businesses that failed the compliance checks were:
2 Dogs Pub, 1705 S. First Ave., Suite Q
Casey’s, 2410 Mormon Trek Blvd.
Double Tap, 121 E. College St., Suite B
El Ray’s Live & Dive, 211 Iowa Ave.
Hudson’s South Side Tap, 782 Highway 1 W.
Hy-Vee Fast and Fresh, 1103 N. Dodge St.
Island Vybz RastaRant, 382 Highway 1 W.
The Box, 525 S. Gilbert St.
The Iowa City Police Department also conducted tobacco sales law compliance checks on Friday, March 13, 2026, at the 55 businesses in Iowa City open for business and licensed to sell tobacco, alternative nicotine, or vapor products. Working with plainclothes officers, underage persons entered these businesses and attempted to illegally purchase these products. Forty-seven businesses refused to sell tobacco or other nicotine or vapor products to the underage buyers.
Eight businesses checked by police sold to the underage buyers. The businesses that failed the compliance checks were:
- Essentials Vape and Smoke Shop, 560 Highway 1 W
- North Dodge Amoco, 2153 ACT Circle
- Hartig Drug, 701 Mormon Trek Blvd.
- The Konnexion, 106 S. Linn St.
- Hawks Mighty Mart, 504 E. Burlington St.
- Almost Paradise Mini, 125 S. Dubuque St.
- Hy-Vee Drugstore, 310 N. First Ave.
- Hy-Vee Fast & Fresh 3, 1103 N. Dodge St.
The employees who sold the alcohol to the underage buyers were each charged with Providing Alcohol to a Person Under Legal Age – Employee, a simple misdemeanor punishable with a $645 fine plus court costs for the first offense. Additionally, all violations will be forwarded to the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division for possible civil penalties against the liquor license.