Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(June 10, 2012 - June 16, 2012)
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As I See It...

Complacency 

 

Complacency:


A feeling of contented self-satisfaction, especially when unaware of upcoming trouble.

 

This word and its meaning fit a situation that happened at one of our stores a few weeks ago. On May 15th we failed a liquor compliance check done by our police department.

 

Our clerk who failed has worked for us on and off for more than 20 years. This individual is a good employee who has passed other compliance checks over the past ten years. This employee was very embarrassed for the store and also for himself, but he didn't blame anyone but himself. This clerk told other employees that he just didn't look up when the under-age person came to the register. This happened on a Tuesday at about 5:30, not our busiest time of the week, but steady.

 

This clerk got complacent in his duty to card customers. Remind your employees that carding customers is probably the single most important thing they do while running a register and becoming complacent could cost you your job.

 

This brings me to the next issue. As a result of failing a compliance check this employee was suspended and then terminated. I have said in the past that this doesn't seem fair and anyone can make a mistake and deserves a second chance. It has been 12 years since we last failed and that person stayed employed.

 

Times have changed even for us, and like it or not we are held to a higher standard because we represent the city. If cities want to be in the liquor business then it is our responsibility to set the bar high and show the community how serious we take our jobs.

 

What makes this incident even more troubling is the fact that our police department sends us a notice saying they will be doing compliance checks within the next 30 to 60 days and the kid that they use is young looking to begin with. They make it easy for us to pass and we still failed.

 

The question comes up that if we failed when it should be easy, how many do we let get by that are questionable? Are we good at what we do, or are we just lucky not to get caught more? I would like to think that we are good at what we do and this was an isolated incident.

Don't let your staff become complacent! 

 

The City of Edina and Edina Liquor lost a good employee because for a minute this employee got complacent and didn't do his job. Teach your employees how to card responsibly, have all your staff go through server training yearly and make sure all your employees understand the consequences of selling to an underage person.

 

No liquor operation should have to lose an employee for not doing the most important part of their job!

 

Steve Grausam

Edina Liquor

 

Sunday Sales Poll
Sunday 

Public Policy Polling recently conducted a statewide

poll in Minnesota during May 31-June 3 (973

respondents, margin of error +/- 3.1%).
 

The results were released last week, with most

media attention focused on its findings on the

marriage constitutional amendment.

 

They also asked respondents about other issues, including the Vikings stadium deal and Sunday sales.

  

A summary of their results including crosstabs may be

viewed by clicking here.

 

Below are the results relating specifically to Sunday sales.

 

Overall results: "Do you support or oppose allowing Sunday liquor sales?"

 

59% support; 27% oppose; 14% not sure.

 

Support for or opposition to Sunday sales closely correlates

according to political ideology.  

 

Among self-described "Very liberal" voters:

 

 77% support; 14% oppose; 8% not sure. 

 

Among self-described "Somewhat liberal" voters:

 

63% support; 21% oppose; 16% not sure.

 

Among self-described "Moderate" voters:

 

64% support; 24% oppose; 12% not sure.

 

Among self-described "Somewhat conservative" voters:

 

53% support; 32% oppose; 15% not sure.  

 

Among self-described "Very conservative" voters:

 

40% support; 44% oppose; 16% not sure.

 

A majority of both men and women support Sunday sales,

though it is more pronounced among men.

 

Men:  64% support; 24% oppose; 12% not sure.

Women: 54% support; 30% oppose: 15% not sure.

 

Democrats and political independents strongly support Sunday sales, Republicans support it only in a plurality.

 

Democrats: 61% support; 22% oppose; 17% not sure.

Independents/other: 68% support; 23% oppose; 9% not sure.

Republicans: 46% support; 38 oppose; 15% not sure.

 

Support for or opposition to Sunday sales is colorblind.

 

Whites: 59% support; 27% oppose: 14% not sure.

Other: 63% support; 29% oppose; 7% not sure.

 

Not surprisingly, the younger respondents are, the more likely

they are to support Sunday sales.

 

18 to 29 year-olds: 70% support; 20% oppose; 14% not sure.

30 to 45: 76% support; 14 oppose%; 14% oppose; 10% not sure.

46 to 65: 54% support; 32% oppose; 14% not sure.

65+: 37% support; 42% oppose; 21% not sure.

 

So what does this all mean?

 

Like most polling, respondents often answer a question without full knowledge of an issue. Sure it would be more convenient for a person to purchase off sale alcohol on Sunday if they run out. But, is it good public policy?   MMBA thinks not.

 

Sunday Sales is not about working hours. ("We don't want to work on Sunday / It is our only day off")

 

Alcohol is not a destination purchase.  People don't get up and say "let's go alcohol shopping."  It is an impulse purchase that in the vast majority of locations doesn't pay the day's bills.  All of the Minnesota cars buying in Wisconsin on Sunday are coming from multiple locations to one store.

It is about spreading six days of sales over seven days of expenses. 

 

In addition, as was shown in Colorado, Sunday Sales has the potential to lead to the elimination of 3.2 beer and ultimately Wine in Grocery.    

Furthermore, a pair of research studies indicate a negative traffic safety component associated with Sunday Sales. 

 

Bottom Line: It is up to you to educate the legislative candidates running for election this year in your area on this subject and indicate your opposition to the concept.

 

Contact the MMBA office if you need assistance.

Electronic Gaming Meetings
Electronic Pull Tabs 

The Minnesota Licensed Beverage Association, the Minnesota Gambling Control Board Executive Director and other special guests will be conducting informational meetings across the state in June and July to answer questions on the new electronic forms of gaming. 

 

MMBA members are invited to attend.

 

Click Here for More Information

 
Corny Beach Jokes 

Beach 

Where does a ship go when it's sick? To the DOCK! 
 
What do whales like to put on their toast in the morning? Jellyfish!  
 
Why are gulls named seagulls? If they were by the bay, they'd be bagels!

What's the best day to go to the beach?  SUNDAY!

 

Why do fish swim in salt water?  Because pepper makes them sneeze!

 

Where do rocks like to spend summer vacation?  Pebble Beach!

 

Where does a fish go to borrow money?  A loan shark!

 

Where do ghosts like to swim?  The Dead Sea.

 

What do you call a witch who lives on the beach?  A sandwitch!

 

What does a shark eat for dinner?  Fish and ships!

 
Future Dates to Remember!!

2012 MMBA Regional Meetings

 

Fall 2012

 

2013 MMBA Boot Camp 

 

February 19 & 20, 2013

Breezy Point Resort

 

2013 MMBA Annual Conference

 

May 18 - 21, 2013

Arrowwood Resort

Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Vicki Segerstrom
Milaca
320-983-6255
  
Brian Hachey
Stacy
651-462-2727

Nancy Drumsta
Delano
763-972-0578

Lara Smetana
Pine City
320-629-2020

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-381-2349

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Toni Buchite
50 Lakes
218-763-2035

Brenda Visnovec
Lakeville 
952-985-4901
 
Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113
  
Shelly Dillon
Callaway
218-375-4691
  
Karissa Kurth
Buffalo Lake
320-833-2321
 
Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925

 
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Beverage Alcohol Training
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 Bob Leslie remains available to do alcohol awareness server training.
 
Contact him at:
 
320-766-3871
 
Fergus Falls Liquor Profits Reduce Need for Levy

According to a recent presentation to the Fergus Falls City Council, sales from the municipal liquor stores fell from about $5.29 million to $5.24 million in 2011. 

 

However,  the cost of sales also fell, allowing the stores to increase their gross profit percentage and slightly bump up their operating income.

 

"Overall, this fund contributed $340,000 to the general fund, thus reducing the need for [a] levy," said Schulzetenberg.

Reflection is looking in so you can look out with a broader, bigger, and more accurate perspective
2011 MMBA Platinum Members 
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