Yesterday, I joined MMBA directors Bridgitte Konrad and Gary Buysee in staffing a booth at the League of Minnesota Cities Annual Conference Trade Show.

It was, again, a very successful experience.

Each year we have a booth in order to make contact with the city officials and staff who govern our member operations.  

We often do not interact with these individuals and this event is the perfect opportunity to see them in one location.

It is also an opportunity to meet officials from cities without municipal liquor and make them aware of our industry.

As I reflect on this year's event, I'm reminded of the importance of city councils and staff to the success their municipal liquor operations.

It is important for city officials not to micro manage the liquor operation. However, it is extremely important for these individuals to provide the proper guidance for the operation to succeed.

At the conference, I complimented one mayor on his leadership and support of his liquor manager and staff as they take steps to compete with a new big box retailer.

However, I also heard of a city council, with a municipal bar and off sale, who granted a private on-sale license in their community.  

However, when the liquor manager tried to create promotions to compete, he was stopped by the council so not to financially injure the business.    

Unhappy with the on-sale performance, the city will be closing that part of the operation later this year.  

This scenario was very confusing.

I'm also confused how the City of Otsego, with no municipal liquor, can approve a new off sale license for Target, by placing the issue on a consent agenda.  

In addition, they did not notify an existing licensee, located a very short distance away, the license was even being considered.

So, you ask, what is the point?

As we work to keep our members successful and ensure alcohol is treated as a controlled substance instead of a commodity, city councils and staff are a critical part of the process.

Their actions or inactions can be the difference between long and short term success and failure.

In addition, the decisions made in January are often forgotten in December.  

That is why effective communication between council and municipal liquor staff is critical.

The following Six Commandments are from the former mayor of Spring Lake Park:

1)        Be Honest

2)        Be Lawful

3)        Tell Good News and Bad

4)        Immediate Notification of News

5)        No Surprises

6)        Have Regular Meetings

For the private sector, get to know your council and city staff.   Success in any activity is based on relationships.  

It is those relationships that will be critical as new challenges emerge.

As always, MMBA is here to assist.

Have a great weekend. Looks like the sun is coming out!!!

Paul Kaspszak

Executive Director 

Wine enthusiasts are rallying with small liquor store lobbyists to stop big box retailer Total Wine & More from making its way into Woodbury.

The business, which opened its first Twin Cities location in Roseville earlier this year, is proposing to open another at Woodbury Village and will go before the City Council next week to request an off sale liquor license.

A number of Woodbury residents have urged city officials to deny Total Wine's request, citing "dishonest and unethical" practices by the company that allegedly drives competition out of small markets before hiking its prices.

"It's sad to see our city get sucked into the homogenization of only 'big box' establishments, leaving the local entrepreneurial businesses no opportunity to thrive," Lori Makela wrote in an email to City Council. "It would be incredibly sad to see the smaller family-owned wine stores in Woodbury all go out of business if Total Wine & More opens its doors."

Click Here for Full Story  

Three people were going to the guillotine, and the first was the lawyer, who was led to the platform and blindfolded and put his head on the block.  

The executioner pulled the lanyard and nothing happened.  

So, out of mercy, the authorities allowed him to go free.  

The next man to the guillotine was a physician, and he lay his head on the block, and they pulled the lanyard ... nothing.  

The blade didn't come down.  

So, to be fair, they let him go too.  

The third man to the guillotine was an engineer.  

They led him to the guillotine and he laid his head on the block and then he said, "Hey, wait. I think I see your problem."  

2014 MMBA Regional Meetings 

Beverage Alcohol Training