Every three year old does it better than most of us! With every statement made and every task undertaken, a three year old will ask.....WHY????

My message this week is short but should resound with many of us:

Are you asking yourself and your staff....

WHY???? 

In our ever changing retail environment, we need to question everything that we do!

WHY???? 

Are we pricing this product by using the "old standards"? 

Does the price reflect our profit goals? 

Is it competitive? 

Will it generate added sales and traffic?

WHY????  

Am I setting employee schedules this way? 

Do I have hourly sales data to support the labor needed?

Do we have a particular project to complete? 

Are we staffed to provide the best possible customer service?

I challenge each of us to be more inquisitive than a three year old!

I challenge each of us to be as doggedly determined to understand the reasons for our actions!

I challenge each of us to ask WHY???? with every task, every decision, every day!

Candice Woods,

Liquor Hutch, Hutchinson

Frequent shoppers of the City's two municipal liquor stores likely have noticed a change in the staff over the last year.  

Three employees they've come to know through the years are no longer around to greet or assist them. Liquor Operations Director Pete Matthies was the first to retire, with Manager Steve Johnson and Liquor Clerk Wally Stock to follow.

Liquor Operations Manager Stacy Schmidt has been determined to not let the retirements negatively affect customer service. 

She's focusing on increasing staff knowledge through product tastings, vendor exhibits and tradeshows. 

Savage City Liquor employees are enthusiastic and excited to learn

more about the industry. 

"Everyone wants to be able to provide our customers with a high level of service, and knowing about the products we carry is a key part of that," Schmidt said.

Schmidt's also been diligent in filling positions with knowledgeable, experienced and friendly individuals eager to serve. 

Assistant Manager Suzie Dahl, who lives in Savage, is a certified sommelier who has worked in sales for an area wine vendor. 

She has extensive knowledge about wine and wine pairings and is ready to help customers select a bottle for any occasion. 

She also has attended Beam Suntory's "Bourbon Boot Camp" to advance her knowledge in that area.

On the flip side, Assistant Manager Paul Petschl is customers' "go-to" for recommendations on beer, a rapidly changing segment of the liquor industry. 

In addition to sharing his expertise with other City Liquor staff, Petschl follows the latest industry news so he can provide reliable information to store guests.

As Petschl and Dahl settle into their new roles, longtime employee Jeff Loewenhagen can serve as a resource to them just as he has for the public. 

For 15 years, the charismatic Loewenhagen has welcomed and assisted customers on the floor and at the register. 

He'll continue to use his experience and knowledge of the City's municipal liquor operation to ensure customer service remains high.

Schmidt is excited about City Liquor's direction and having all of the necessary staff - full-and part-time, new and existing - to guide it there. 

"Whether you need beer for the weekend, wine for dinner or just want to stop by for a sample on Friday night, I encourage residents to come in and get to know us," Schmidt said. 

"The City Liquor staffs at Marketplace and Dan Patch are excited to serve you."

At present, City Liquor is preparing for the following special events to complement the regular weekend wine tastings at Marketplace.

• May 7, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Rosé Tasting at Marketplace
• May 14, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. - Craft Beer Tasting at Marketplace
• June 25, 7 to 9 p.m. - Dan Patch Days Beer and Wine Tasting, McColl Pond ELC

For a full schedule and specials, or to sign up for City Liquor's weekly newsletter, visit savageliquor.com.

The City of Savage has had a municipal liquor operation since 1937.  

Revenues from store sales have offset costs associated with City projects, including construction of the Savage Library and the McColl Pond ELC.

On May 5, 1862 Mexican soldiers won a hard fought battle over the French in Puebla, Mexico. 

Since that day, Cinco de Mayo (fifth of May) has become a celebration of Mexican heritage, filled with parties, food, fun, cerveza and, of course, tequila.

To help you plan your Cinco de Mayo celebration, here is a list of some fun tequila and Mexican-inspired cocktails. 

Many of these cocktails feature tropical fruit mixers, a perfect springtime accent for the premium distilled spirits that the drinks are designed to show off. 

As always, party responsibly.

Salud!