A registered tax-exempt non-profit charitable organization in Ensley that says its mission is to mentor youth has been caught selling alcohol without a license, Birmingham police say.

The Happy Hour Hangout, a registered 501c3 non-profit corporation at 2417 Avenue C in Ensley, was the subject of a recent Birmingham City Council public safety committee meeting.

“You’re operating out of the confinement of what you say your mission statement is,” said City Council member LaTonya Tate, chair of the public safety committee. “You stated to this body that you have your 501c3 as a safe haven to mentor youth (and) give out food donations.”

Tate questioned that mission. “What’s being presented to us here today shows no indication that you guys are doing that,” she said.

Instead, Birmingham Police Sgt. Kenneth Knight told the committee that an undercover police officer purchased a bottle of beer on Feb. 18, despite the business not having a license to sell alcohol.

The police then executed a search warrant and seized 12 bottles of liquor and about 300 bottles of beer, Knight said.

The committee scheduled a public hearing before the full council on June 10.