LONGMONT — The FDA banned a Circle K here from selling tobacco for 23 days after finding the store had allowed minors to purchase it. The order was the first time the government agency had taken such a drastic step in Colorado.

The parent corporation of the Circle K, Doryce Norwood, had the right to appeal but decided not to do so.

The FDA found five violations of failing to verify identification and of selling tobacco to under-age youths over a three-year period.

Doryce Norwood issued a statement saying, "We are extremely disappointed to know that our policy and the law were not followed by our store employees. It is the first time one of our Circle K stores has been cited."

DENVER — A popular Waterworks Car Wash here announced a serious data breach, possibly affecting three to four thousand of its customers.

The credit card payment system used at the wash off South Broadway was compromised in February, affecting sales between Feb. 18 and 28. Waterworks did not receive notification until the end of March at which time it immediately notified its customers.

The firm said malware apparently was placed on the third party point-of-sale system, gaining access to customer card data, including the cardholder's full name, card number and security code.

Waterworks urged its customers to cancel their cards and replace them and offered a year's worth of free credit monitoring.

ASPEN — As expected, the City Council passed an ordinance aimed at cutting down the number of chain stores, maintaining that those chains take up space and pushing rents to levels that smaller retailers cannot afford.

Proponents of the ordinance estimated that chain stores occupy one-third of the storefront area in Aspen and claimed they have almost destroyed the city's small town flavor.

The ordinance was considerably watered down as it progressed through the governmental process. For instance, existing businesses are exempt.

However, if an existing structure is torn down, significantly expanded, or replaced it would fall under provisions of the ordinance.

Applications for new stores would undergo a conditional land-use review by the planning and zoning commission which would have exclusive authority to reject them.

A former city councilman called the ordinance "watered down to the point where it's acceptable to most."

One to whom it is not acceptable is resident Elizabeth Milias who said the regulations, "place potentially cumbersome restrictions on new and re-developed buildings in the core, restrictions that will hinder and encumber investors and developers in such a way that new buildings and the redevelopment of existing ones will become financially untenable. No investor or developer will risk developing new retail space that cannot ever be rented to the same tenants as those in all the buildings around them. Theoretically, it ends development in the town core."

COLORADO SPRINGS — A busy corner of downtown no longer has a 7-Eleven.

The store was plagued by homeless people who were lying in front, panhandling and frightening pedestrians. The store also experienced thievery and vandalism on a regular basis.

The store closed in April after a six-year run.

Another convenience store called Carlie's will attempt to take up the location sometime soon, according to a sign in the window. The 7-Eleven owner could not be reached for comment.

The 7-Eleven was a popular place as there is no downtown grocery or pharmacy. Loft dwellers in the area and downtown workers could grab a quick cup of coffee, morning snack or newspaper without having to jump in a car.

Originally published in the June 2017 issue of the O&A Marketing News.
Copyright 2017 by KAL Publications Inc.