Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(February 1, 2015 - February 7, 2015)
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As I See it...

"Do Your Job"

 

The Super Bowl motto of the New England Patriots was "Do Your Job".  

 

Their coaches preached the key to victory was simple, just "Do Your Job".  

 

During the game the coaches made adjustments but the players kept doing what they practiced, they did their jobs.

 

As managers our main job is to maximize profits for our tax payers.

 

We must get the biggest bang for our buck no matter what size store we have.  

 

The playing field has been tilted by some of our distributors, very heavily toward our new competitor in the cities.  

 

We, like coaches, have to make some changes if we want to compete on the same field.

 

If we don't like the fact that our distributors are sending sales people out every day to dust and stock Total Wines shelves, we need to make a change.  

 

Are there smaller distributors selling liquor that could be cheaper?  

 

You bet there is, no strings attached, no frills or extra services offered, just a good price.

 

Recently at a MMBA board meeting I found out the large distributors have price sheets available, not hot sheets, actual price sheets.  

 

However you have to demand them.  

 

Demand?  

 

Why, what are they hiding?

 

Lately another issue has surfaced concerning our local haulers. Instead of using the distributor's trucks, many of us use the local hauler because of the cost savings.  

 

However they have been getting the runaround at the warehouses.  

 

Funny thing, I've heard no issues at the smaller distributors.

 

Many of us, to compete, have started carrying some of Total Wines "Exclusive Brands" to help us compete evenly.  

 

Unfortunately it takes money and space away from our favorite sales people.  

 

Those exclusive brands right now are non-commissioned.  

 

I feel bad for the sales people, but we didn't start this fight.  

 

Their companies are the ones that kicked us to the curb.

 

So here it is, this game is still in the first quarter and we have time to make adjustments.  

 

The more pressure we keep putting on them will eventually get to the top.  

 

Grumblings are already being heard in the city from their sales people.  

 

If we, as MMBA, keep working together and "Do our Jobs" victory will come!!  

 

I think our opponents really underestimated the fight in this group!!!

 

As the old saying goes "The squeaky wheel gets the oil"!

 

Bill Ludwig
Paynesville Liquors

Cheers to Landmark Liquors: Perham Store Has Record Year; Revenues Save Taxpayers Money

By Marie Johnson, Perham Focus

 

Everyone, raise your glasses in a toast to Landmark Liquors. Perham's burgeoning municipal liquor store had another record-setting year in 2014, and that means more money saved for local taxpayers.

 

For the first time in history, the store surpassed the $3 million mark in annual sales volume, raking in $3,063,790 - an increase of $128,135, or 4.4 percent, over 2013.

 

Almost 3,100 additional customers came through the doors last year, and customers spent an average of 42 cents more on purchases than they did the year before.  


Sales of beer, wine and liquor all increased. The store's net income went up, while operating expenses stayed the same.

 

In short, as store manager Bob Dreger said, "2014 was a very good year for Landmark Liquors."

 

The store has been consistently growing in recent years, with a sales increase of 28 percent over the past four years alone.

 

City Manager Kelcey Klemm said the rising profits show city leaders were right to relocate the liquor store in 2008, moving it from the lower level of City Hall to a larger building of its own on a site that's easily visible from Highway 10.

 

The decision to move the store "was controversial at the time," said Klemm. "But the then-city council and city manager made a good decision to relocate. It's proven itself. It's paid off."

 

Revenues from the liquor store help fund the city's day-to-day operations as well as special capital projects, and are also used to support events and organizations such as the Perham Area Community Center, the East Otter Tail County Fair and the city's two museums.

 

The more money the liquor store makes, the more can be used for these purposes, and thus taxpayers are relied on less.

 

Klemm said $40,000 of last year's liquor store revenues went into the city's general fund, helping to keep the tax levy down, while another large chunk has been designated to help pay the city's share of repairs to the library.     

 

(The city expects to pay $257,000 this year to rid the library of mold, while a state grant will pay another $257,000.)

 

The overall impact on taxpayers is worth noting.   

   

If there were no liquor store revenues to factor into the city budget, according to Perham Finance Officer Patti Stokke, the city's tax levy would have been 11 percent higher in 2014.

 

Stokke said the store's contribution to the general fund has long been a part of Perham's annual budget.     

 

The amount reserved for the general fund hasn't changed in recent years, so excess or unexpected revenues are available to put toward other needed projects, such as the library renovations.

 

"'Our profits get poured back into our community,' is the slogan on our sign," said Dreger.     

 

"It's important to keep your dollars at home. I think people are realizing what an impact we have on the community."

 

Dreger said Landmark Liquors' growth is fueled by Perham community members.    

   

Though summer shoppers and some out-of-towners boost the store's bottom line, it's the year-round local customers who provide a "stable base" for the store, he said, "and that's what makes us successful."

 

He also credits the store's competitive everyday prices, as well as sales, discounts, promotional items and friendly customer service from his staff.     

 

Customers who stop in from out of town, he said, "really like the small town, friendly atmosphere... We get so many compliments from people on the beautiful building and store, and the variety that we have."

 

To help keep the store growing into the future, Dreger said there are plans to upgrade point-of-sale technology so credit cards with smart chips can be processed.   

   

There will also be more craft beers put on display in the main aisle, along with some new wines.

 

"There will always be something different here, to keep it fresh and exciting," Dreger said. 

Tiger Eyes Will Watch Over Schmitz-Maki Arena

By Nathan Hansen, Farmington Independent

Fans of Farmington High School sports might want to get used to the feeling a gigantic jungle cat is staring them down while they watch the game.

 

Farmington High School already has a distinctive tiger-eye mural overlooking the field at Tiger Stadium.    

 

Now an FHS hockey parent is leading a drive to add a similar mural at Schmitz-Maki Arena.

 

Recentlyy, the Farmington City Council pledged $5,000 from its liquor store profits to help the project.    

   

Mayor Todd Larson, who ends every council meeting with a reminder to shop local because money spent with Farmington businesses stays in town, said this project was an example of what he meant.

 

"That's kind of what shop local and shop the Farmington Liquor Store is all about," he said. 


Future Dates to Remember

2015 MMBA Boot Camp 

 

February 17 & 18

 

Breezy Point Resort

 

2015 MMBA Annual Conference

May 16 -19
Arrowwood Resort
Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Bill Ludwig
Paynesville
320-250-3325
  
Candice Woods
Hutchinson 
320-587-2762
  
John Jacobi
Isanti
763-444-5063

Michael Friesen
Hawley
218-483-4747

Lisa Kamrowski
Nevis 
218-652-3135

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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