Keg law slows lines, not sales

The new keg registration law is not slowing down sales, but is slowing down customer checkouts.

The legislation, which was passed in May 2003, went into effect Thursday. Doug Hileman, liquor manager at Schnucks, said the law has not hampered sales for the holiday weekend.

"It's a big weekend for us, and keg sales have always been a big part of our business," Hileman said.

The legislation is, however, causing Schnucks and other retailers more paperwork, which is leading to longer waits for customers.

Hileman said while Schnucks has always checked identification in the past, the new law requires the sales clerk to record this information for filing. Retailers must keep the registration form for at least three months.

Customers then wait for the clerk to secure the registration tag around the handle of the keg and record the tag's seven-digit identification number on the form before being checked out.

The registered kegs must be returned to the store they were purchased from in order to receive the deposit, which Hileman said is $15 to $20 at Schnucks. However, if the tag is removed or damaged, the store is not allowed to take the keg.

The law does not extend to all kegs; only kegs containing at least four gallons of beer or liquor must be registered. Schnucks sells five-liter kegs, but Hileman said so far there is no indication in an increase in sales of the smaller kegs.

Vesper Hawkins, an employee at Rhodes 101 Stop in Cape Girardeau, said while the store sells kegs, there is not much demand at the convenience store. Therefore, not all employees have received training on how to register the kegs.

"When someone wants a keg, we call the manager and he tells us where the forms are and what to do," she said.

While the law has caused problems for businesses, it also could cause big problems for individuals who purchased the keg, if minors are caught drinking.

The law carries fines up to $1,000 and up to one year in prison.

jwachter@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 127