Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(January 31, 2015 - February 6, 2016)
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As I See It...

As I mentioned in a previous issue, in December I met with MMBA Conference Presenter Tom Shay in very warm Florida.

As we were have lunch outside (notice I keep rubbing in the weather), we noticed some activity at a men's clothing store across the street.

There were two men (pictured below) brushing off their merchandise.



As you can see, their store front was fine, but not spectacular. 

There was nothing specific that would make a potential customer look and take notice.

But when they were brushing, people turned their heads.



This begs the question, what are you doing to make people notice your facility?

Here are some ideas from Bob Phibbs, The Retail Doctor:

Create A Memorable Monument Sign!

It is so easy to do what everyone else does with black block letters on a beige concrete sign.

While many developments have strict sign policies which reduce most businesses to a commodity by the road (Think "Jane's Fun Toys For Girls and Boys" reduced to "TOYS,") if you present a compelling sign, you can get away with it like Skribbles in CT.



Who wouldn't think it would be fun to send their child there?

Roll Out A Red Welcome Mat!

The best hoteliers and event producers know there is nothing that screams "Special Treatment."

The 20th Century Limited pasenger train used a plush red carpet to direct people as they boarded.

A simple mat with "Welcome" on the front in a high traffic area draws attention to your store.

When I was in New Zealand I saw a florist who used red rose petals (probably from old roses) scattered across the sidewalk like a carpet to draw passersby attention to her beautiful windows and into her store.

Beth Hnatio-Pumphrey with EJP Studios in Frederick, MD suggests writing on the sidewalk with chalk.

She advises to draw "Arrows, cute sayings, types of items or lines you carry.

It is different.

People notice and it leads them to your door."

Put Something In Your Parking Lot!

Light pole signs - You've seen these at gas stations and fast food restaurants.

These should be printed in full color.

Maybe a red loveseat with, "Valentine's Is Coming" and your logo at the bottom would be great for January.

Speak with your landlord to see if there is an objection.

The goal on these types of signs is not to "sell" anything (Big Sales 20% off!) but to showcase your best product.

Think something short like, "Learn About Wine," or "See Our Craft Beer Selection" or "We Have the Perfect Gift"

Fly Some Flags!

A string of pennant flags from a light pole to the front of your business.

You can get a multi-color version at sporting goods stores for under $50.

The trick with flags is to replace them about every other month while they are still bright and before they are all ripped.

Decorate Your Outside Walls!

If you can make your building immediately recognizable for what you sell, have at it.

If you can't you can still put a tall banner from roof to sidewalk in eye-catching colors ( think forest green instead of a garish fluorescent pink).

At the top put, "We've got" and add pictures of your best products.

Again, the goal is not to scream price, but showcase the wants.

City sign ordinances may seem to not allow but check - usually they will let you have it up for 90 days.

Can't put it on the building, you can get freestanding banner holders to place by your doors.

Placed outside, these are used where you cannot use a building banner but with the same message.

Costs with weighted banner holder can be a couple hundred dollars and can be changed monthly to refresh your image.

Click Here for More from Bob

Bottom line, you have a choice...




Paul Kaspszak
Executive Director
Boy or Girl?

A: Just look at that young person with the short hair and blue jeans.

Is it a boy or a girl?

B: It's a girl.  She's my daughter.

A: Oh, I'm sorry, sir. I didn't know that you were her father.

B: I'm not. I'm her mother.
If the the highest aim of a captain were to preserve his ship, he would keep it in port forever
Future Dates to Remember


Legislative Session Start

March 8, 2016

MMBA / MLBA
Legislative Day
(REVISED) 
 
March 22, 2016
2016 MMBA Annual Conference

April 16 - 19, 2016
Arrowwood Resort

Legislative Session
End

May 23, 2106
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

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Tom Agnes
Brooklyn Center
763-549-3710
Brenda Visnovec
Lakeville 
952-985-4901
 
Bridgitte Konrad
North Branch
651-674-8113

 Karissa Kurth
Buffalo Lake
320-833-2321
 
Paul Kaspszak
MMBA
763-572-0222
1-866-938-3925
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Minnesota SMART

The SMART campaign: Supporting Minnesota's Alcohol Regulations and Traditions, is a renewed public education and grassroots advocacy effort in support of Minnesota's current alcohol regulations and three-tier system.

 

We believe Minnesota's current alcohol regulations are smart, balanced, and supported by many citizens and our local small businesses.    

    

They work well for Minnesota!

 

The SMART campaign functions to help you engage in advocacy efforts with state legislators and others in support of Minnesota's current alcohol regulations, and to oppose issues-such as Sunday alcohol sales.

We want to make it easy and effective for you to engage.

 

Take action and send an email to your state legislators today through the new SMART campaign website.   

 

We have sample letters and legislator contact information put together that is ready to go.   

 

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A Simple Way to Break a Bad Habit
Can we break bad habits by being more curious about them?

Psychiatrist Judson Brewer studies the relationship between mindfulness and addiction - from smoking to overeating to all those other things we do even though we know they're bad for us.

Learn more about the mechanism of habit development and discover a simple but profound tactic that might help you beat your next urge to smoke, snack or check a text while driving.

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