A few days ago I had dinner with Michael and Todd Johnson, the big cheeses at Johnson Brothers Distributing.

During our discussions, I mentioned to them how members, especially in smaller facilities, appreciated their willingness to return phone calls in response to issues of all types.

That willingness is a core component of the MMBA Commercial Membership program.

MMBA believes in developing relationships with vendor "single points of contact," identified on the MMBA website and Municipal Liquor Store magazine.

By joining MMBA, these companies and individuals agree to communicate with ALL members.

Problem is, many members are hesitant to contact them, feeling their establishment is too small or insignificant.

That is a bad thought process

EVERY member liquor manager must understand their operation is important and they have the ability / right / obligation to call these high level officials with questions, comments and concerns.

To do less is a disservice to not only the establishment, but to the citizens they serve.

Paul Kaspszak
MMBA

There is an building expansion underway at Mountain Spirits in Proctor.

More display area, new counters, new POS system and more.

By John Ewold, Star Tribune

When the national retailer Total Wine & More opened a store in Burnsville last September, Brenda Visnovec expected the three city-owned liquor stores she oversees in nearby Lakeville to feel some competitive pressure.

 

She didn't expect them to get called out in ads in the suburban newspaper.

 

"Hey Lakeville! Save at the Burnsville Total Wine & More!" beckoned a headline in a December ad that showed how the prices of 18 products were lower at Total Wine than Lakeville Liquor. 

 

"In the past, ads didn't intentionally target someone," Visnovec said.

 

Click Here for Entire Story 

In response to member requests, the 2016 MMBA Annual Conference has been moved from mid-May to mid-April.

April 17 -19, 2016 are the dates.

Arrowwood Resort remains the place.

Consequently, there will not be an MMBA Boot Camp in mid-February.

However, there will be a New Manager Orientation the Saturday before the conference, on April 16.

Mark your calendars and contact us if you have questions.

Effective July 1, 2016 Minnesota Driver Instruction Permits are acceptable forms of identification for the purchase of alcohol in Minnesota.

Remember, the holder must be 21 years of age.

Click Here to See Minnesota Driver's Licenses and Identification Cards

Click Here for 2015 Omnibus Liquor Bill

By Ron Lischeid

2015 is starting out as the worst year for motorcyclist's deaths.

We are currently sitting at 31 compared to last year when we were at 17 - with the prime riding months starting with this weekend's holiday celebration.

Dial-A-Ride would appreciate it if you could let your members know McDAR ourdoor banners are currently available for ANY of their local beer distributors simply by asking - either a 3'X10' banner or a 24"X36" indoor wall poster.

While current statistics only list one death as related to alcohol, these statistics are compiled from police reports at this time.

Later on, the coroner's report for each of these deaths will be paired up with the police report and those combined reports will go into the final numbers for 2015.

Therefore, it is likely more accidents will have alcohol listed as a contributing factor.

Anything that you can do to help us get the word out about the banners and signs would be appreciated.

we would love to have motorcyclists see these materials and our message everywhere they go for the rest of the 2015 riding season.

The Minnesota Beer Wholesalers Association sent out information to all of their members last week letting them know to anticipate an increase in requests for McDAR banners, based letting your members know they are available FREE of CHARGE simply by asking.

Please let me know if you have any questions, comments, suggestions or concerns.

Thanks!!

Ron Lischeid
lischeid@msn.com or 612-250-7272

A man goes to a pet shop and buys a talking parrot.

He takes the parrot home and tries to teach the parrot how to say a few things, but instead, the parrot just swears at him.

After a few hours of trying to teach the bird, the man finally says, "If you don't stop swearing, I'm going to put you in the freezer as punishment."

The parrot continues, so finally the man puts the bird in the freezer.

About an hour later, the parrot asks the man to please open the door.

As the man takes the shivering bird out of the freezer, it says, "I promise to never swear again. Just tell me what that turkey did!"