Corn Palace Stung, Halts Wine Sales

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) — Wine won't be available for a while at the Corn Palace in Mitchell, after an employee at the city-owned tourist attraction sold a bottle to an underage informant during a police alcohol compliance check.

Director Mark Schilling says he's temporarily suspended wine sales as Corn Palace officials review procedures for alcohol sales. He says that likely will take a few weeks.

Schilling says that during the recent compliance check, the employee asked for and inspected the informant's identification, but made the sale anyway. The Daily Republic newspaper reports the employee will be fined and could face additional disciplinary action.

The City Council last June granted the Corn Palace a wine license to allow for the sale of Corn Palace-labeled wine at the attraction's gift shop.

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