By Orono Pioneer
Last minute Thanksgiving shoppers were in good company at Mound's municipal liquor store Harbor Wine and Spirits the Wednesday before turkey day.
Traditionally, this is one of the busiest business days for the store, up there with the Fourth of July.
Liquor Store Manager John Colotti said the store is on track to see increased sales from last year, if the traffic continues.
The final numbers will not be available until the end of the year, said Mound Finance Director Catherine Pausche.
However, in 2011, the net income for the liquor store before transfers was $107,749.
That number in 2012 was $179,232 with $50,000 transferred to the general fund for property tax relief.
"We make the store the destination in the neighborhood," Colotti said. "All the revenue we generate goes to the city."
Harbor Wine and Spirits have about 100 different kinds of Minnesota craft brews. A make your own six-pack allows for people to sample it.
The store hosted its annual End of Prohibition Sale from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.
This event attracted about 500 people last year, and this year's event had more giveaways and offerings to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of prohibition.
Customers took 15 percent of off all alcohol products in the store. Samplings started at noon continued in two-hour intervals with other product sampling.
Grab bag prizes were given away throughout the day, and customers drew a tag out of a box to win a prize with the corresponding number.
There was also a promotion for 10 cent single bottles of Budweiser. This was the price of the beer 80 years ago, and the famous Budweiser Clydsdales brought the first cases of beer to the White House when prohibition ended.
The horses were at the sale, but the company did give the store one made out of Budweiser cases that is displayed in the entryway when customers walk in.
The store also does regular wine sales and other promotions throughout the year. Colotti said when people can get out on the lake, beer sales are good.
"Summer is the busiest long stretch," Colotti said. "As long as people go out on the lake, they're going to be here."
The store tracks daily sales, customer, counts, weather, hourly breakdowns, which is a great reference year to year before big days such as Thanksgiving Eve.
Colotti said his staff is well trained to help customers. He has been in the liquor since college and has traveled around the world to wineries and breweries.
Colotti said his favorite part of the job is "meeting people," including customers and sales representatives.
Colotti said this knowledge helps Harbor Wine and Spirits evolve with the industry. It will hit its 11-year anniversary in February.
Some newer additions to the store include a cider cooler, as well as a wide variety of local brews.
The store currently sells about 100 different SKUs of Minnesota-made beer from around 20 different breweries.
Customers have the option of mixing a six pack of different brews for $8.99, which Colotti said is a popular draw.
