| As I See It... | |
Municipal liquor became a reality in Minnesota with the ratification of the 21st amendment on December 5, 1933. Under its terms, states were allowed to establish their own laws for the control of alcohol.
Rogers has been controlling the dispensation of alcoholic beverages in our community since the mid 70s.
Al stopped by with a friend one Wednesday afternoon. He was looking for Tim.
Al had made many trips to our store in the past months; he was "on our radar." He stopped in the morning mostly, one of our earliest customers most days. He was always in a hurry. He had to get to work, but he needed his bottle first.
We saw Al every day, sometimes in the evening too. I assumed he was also shopping at other stores; it's the nature of the illness.
Al had always been very well spoken, his demeanor never betraying any tell tale signals that might alert us to the fact that he should not be served.
That is what control is all about, not serving underage customers or obviously intoxicated persons. It's a responsibility we take very seriously! So seriously that our jobs depend on it! It is our job, in consort with law enforcement, and to the best of our ability to assure that underage students do not have access to alcohol!
Al stopped by at night this time, which was unusual. Tim noticed him as he made his way through the store, approached him; asked him how he was doing. Tim immediately ascertained that Al had been drinking and pulled him to the side, informing that he would not be served this time. "I'm not driving," Al replied. Tim stated that this did not matter, that Minnesota State Law prohibited the sale, and that he should come back the next day. Al left with his ride without further incident.
Al stopped by with a friend on Wednesday afternoon. He was looking for Tim. Al was in the making amends stage of his A.A. steps. He stopped by, with his A.A. sponsor, to thank Tim for his refusal of service, the respect he showed during the process and to inform him of his ultimate decision to return to A.A. after straying from the program after 10 years of sobriety. Tim's refusal of service had a positive, unforeseen impact on Al's life!
Our most important job at Rogers Wines and Spirits and the Muni is controlling the dispensation of alcoholic beverages in our community. In addition to this the Rogers liquor department has generated almost 3 million dollars in contributions to the Rogers general fund budget since 2002!
Patronize your local businesses. The economic life of our community depends on it! Be a good host, know when your guests have "had enough".
Gary Buysse
Rogers Liquor
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| Fridley Position Opening |  POSITION OBJECTIVE: Under the supervision of the Liquor Operations Manager, the Assistant Liquor Store Manager is responsible for assisting in the supervision of the operation of the liquor stores in a manner which results in good customer service, sound business practices, financial success, and the controlled legal sale of alcohol in the community. ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS: * Ensure that each customer receives outstanding service by providing a friendly environment, which includes greeting and acknowledging every guest, maintaining outstanding standards, solid product knowledge and all other components of guest service. * Assist customers in selection of various products and brands of liquors and wines, by providing advice on quantity of purchase for special occasions and helping customers, including carrying out purchases to vehicles. * Provide work direction to the full-time Lead Liquor Store Clerks as well as the part-time Liquor Store Clerks. * Assist in the recruitment, selection and development of staff, including training, conducting performance evaluations, review of work and in making recommendations to Liquor Operations Manager.
* Perform daily opening and closing procedures, including balancing cash, preparing bank deposits, and verifying posting of daily information to computer system.
* Enter invoices, transfer, adjust and perform other transactions into inventory control system. Perform record keeping responsibilities as assigned by the Liquor Operations Manager.
* Accurately operate electronic cash register to enter sales; verify age of customers; verify checks, and make change, etc.
* Assist Liquor Operations Manager in placing orders with vendors and suppliers for products and services.
* Conduct in-store inventory and periodic inventory counts along with organizing and maintaining records, and assist in data management and report preparation.
* Comply with City ordinances and state regulations regarding sale of alcohol including assessing sobriety of all customers to avoid sale of alcoholic beverages to anyone under the influence.
* Assist in assuring building security and complying with inventory controls and financial controls per policy.
* Assume supervisory duties in absence of Liquor Operations Manager.
* Assist in the development, promotion and implementation of special events and promotional campaigns, as needed.
* Provide reliable transportation and commute between multiple store locations and other facilities as needed.
Click Here for More Information |
| Shopping Carts Wanted |  The Alexandria liquor operation is in need of updated shopping carts. If anyone has some available, please contact:
Andy MellgrenLiquor Operations Manager City of Alexandria 704 Broadway | Alexandria, MN 56308 Ph: 320-759-3630 amellgren@rea-alp.com |
| Municipal Liquor in Alaska | 
The MMBA office recently received the following note:
The City of Kotzebue has a population of 3,200 and is 26 miles above the Arctic Circle in Northwest Alaska.
The City owns and operates the only package store (alcohol sales) in town.
The City is going to open a City-owned bar and restaurant that sells beer and wine.
Could you provide me some information about Minnesota city-owned bars and city-owned restaurants that serve beer and wine?
The information was happily provided.
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| One Day at a Busy Airport... |  One day at a busy airport, the passengers on a commercial airliner are seated, waiting for the cockpit crew to show up so they can get under way.
The pilot and copilot finally appear in the rear of the plane, and begin walking up to the cockpit through the center aisle.
Both appear to be blind.
The pilot is using a white cane, bumping into passengers right and left as he stumbles down the aisle, and the copilot is using a guide dog. Both have their eyes covered with huge sunglasses.
At first the passengers do not react; thinking that it must be some sort of practical joke. However, after a few minutes the engines start revving and the airplane starts moving down the runway.
The passengers look at each other with some uneasiness, whispering among themselves and looking desperately to the stewardesses for reassurance.
Then the airplane starts accelerating rapidly and people begin panicking. Some passengers are praying, and as the plane gets closer and closer to the end of the runway, the voices are becoming more and more hysterical.
Finally, when the airplane has less than 20 feet of runway left, there is a sudden change in the pitch of the shouts as everyone screams at once, and at the very last moment the airplane lifts off and is airborne.
Up in the cockpit, the copilot breathes a sigh of relief and turns to the pilot: "You know, one of these days the passengers aren't going to
scream, and we're gonna get killed!
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Future Dates to Remember
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2014 MMBA Annual Conference
May 17 - 20
Arrowwood Resort
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| Ask A Director |
Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163
Cathy Pletta Kasson 507-634-7618 Vicki Segerstrom Milaca 320-983-6255 Candice Woods Hutchinson 320-587-2762 Nancy Drumsta Delano 763-972-0578 Lara Smetana Pine City 320-629-2020 Michael Friesen Hawley 218-483-4747
Lisa Kamrowski
Nevis
218-652-3135
Toni Buchite
50 Lakes
218-763-2035
Brenda Visnovec
Lakeville
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 |
Sunday Sales: Convenience at What Cost?
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| The MMBA website now contains comprehensive information on Sunday Sales.
It is a reference for members, legislators, media, city councils and the general public.
Click Here for the Website
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Beverage Alcohol Training |  | |
Contact Bob Leslie at:
320-766-3871
Contact Gary Buysse at:
763-428-0164
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Help Our Local Animals
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In an effort to help members Promote the Community Value of their Municipal Liquor Operation, MMBA, in partnership with Miller Lite, is coordinating the First Annual Municipal "Help Our Local Animals" Supplies Drive benefiting local animal shelters.
The event will run throughout April.
Members will be raising both supplies and funds and will donate everything to the local animal shelter of their choice.
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Great operators and managers make connections, one person at a time.
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