Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(February 14, 2016 - February 20, 2016)
 Click Here
for the
MMBA Website
As I See It...

I am sitting in my office writing this article because it is the first time in 10 years or so I am actually at my office this time of year.

In all of the previous 10 years the MMBA board members and I have made the trek up to Breezy Point Resort for our yearly Boot Camp Conference.

I know my wife is happy I didn't have to go this year, but I can tell you I already miss it.

I miss the drive up 371 to a beautiful part of our state.

I miss the time I got to spend with fellow board members and all of the attendees.

I miss the Monday night trivia and product sampling.

I miss the staff at Breezy, as they were always so nice and welcoming.

I miss the breakout sessions where we got to really understand how each of our businesses operated and we were able to share ideas on how to make our stores run better.

I miss helping to make a difference.

I miss the Wine 101 dinner and the food that went along with it.

Even though many of us have been through the presentation, I always learned something new each and every time.

I miss seeing Randy and Robin from Ste. Michelle.

To Randy and Robin, thanks for always making the trip up to do the presentation.

Thanks to all of the other vendors involved over the years.

We really did appreciate you sharing your products and knowledge with us.

In some ways I even miss having to drive up when it was snowing and  bitter cold.


Well, maybe not the bitter cold.

Most of all I miss the friendships this event afforded me.

While I miss Boot Camp and all the members I have gotten to know over the years, I look forward to what is coming up this year for MMBA.
  • March 22nd- Legislative Day at the Capital. Please consider attending, your voice needs to be heard.  Register Here
  • April 16th to April 19th--MMBA Spring Conference- NOTE DATE CHANGE. Our members asked about moving the date so we are giving it a try. If you were unable to attend previously due to conflicts in the month of May, now is a great time to see what you have been missing. More Information Here

  • September & October-Regional meetings-Date and times to be determined.
We always say there is constant change in our business and change is good and to embrace it.

MMBA is changing to better meet the needs of our members.

I hope all of you embrace change, not only for yourself but for your liquor operation.

I hope to see many of you at legislative day and then at the conference in April.

Embrace this change and come and take part in the MMBA Spring Conference and see what the MMBA can and does do for you.

Steve Grausam
Edina
Another Landmark Year for Landmark

By Marie Johnson, Perham Focus

Business just keeps booming at Landmark Liquors, Perham's municipal liquor store, according to store manager Bob Dreger.
The store reported another record-setting year in 2015, with sales of $3,229,277.

That surpasses the previous year's record by more than $165,000, or 5.4 percent.

And that's good news for Perham taxpayers' pocketbooks.

Revenue from the liquor store helps fund Perham's day-to-day operations, as well as special projects such as the renovations currently being done at the library.

Funds also go to local organizations like the Perham Area Community Center and the History, Arts and Cultural Association.

The more money the liquor store makes, the fewer taxpayer dollars are needed to put toward these purposes.

City Finance Officer Patti Stokke said liquor store contributions helped keep the city's tax levy down to $1,211,784 in 2015.

Without liquor store funds, she explained, the levy would have been $1,460,034 - a considerable 17 percent higher than it ended up being.

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; other projects and causes receive any excess or unexpected revenue beyond that.

Last year, those causes included the library renovations ($150,000 went toward that), as well as support for the PACC ($36,500), HACA ($18,500) and the county's Joyride program.

Landmark Liquors' success last year was twofold, with the store drawing in more customers than ever before, and those customers spending more per visit, on average, than they had in the past.

In his annual report to the Perham City Council, Dreger stated that the customer count for 2015 grew by 10,538, to a total of nearly 126,000, which represents a 2.5 percent increase.

In addition to that, the average amount spent per customer "rose nicely," he wrote, from $24.92 to $25.63 per visit.

As has been the pattern in past years, beer made up the majority of all sales in 2015 (bringing in more than $1.6 million), with liquor coming in second (at just over $1 million) and then wine (about $435,000).

The sales increase wasn't unexpected, Dreger said, as store staff plan for continued growth year-to-year.

"We want to keep getting better," he explained.

"We're always looking for ways to fine tune ... to bring in something new and refreshing for our customers, so when they come in they see something different every time."

Last year, for example, a new separate section was added to feature craft beers. And next week, the wine department will be remodeled to create a better shopping experience for customers.

Customer support is key to Landmark's success, Dreger said.

He believes more people are becoming aware of how the liquor store benefits the community (and area residents who use city facilities like the PACC and the library), and that has increased customer loyalty.

He said other important contributing factors to the store's success are its competitive pricing, helpful staff, special deals and discounts (such as a wine rewards card, new in 2015) and large product selection.

"2015 was another good year at Landmark Liquors," Dreger wrote in his report, "and we look forward to continued growth in 2016."
CATEGORY MANAGEMENT AND
"TIED HOUSE"
TTB

In response to industry requests for clarification, the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) has issued general guidance concerning promotional activities commonly associated with category management programs and whether or not those activities are lawful.

Specifically, TTB Ruling 2016-1, The Shelf Plan and Shelf Schematic Exception to the "Tied House" Prohibition, and Activities Outside Such Exception, clarifies what is and what is not permissible in terms of shelf plans and shelf schematics.

The beverage alcohol industry has been experiencing phenomenal growth with many new, often small, businesses entering the market.

Consequently, maintaining a level playing field has never been more important than today. 

We are committed to enforcing our trade practice jurisdiction so  consumers can continue to enjoy a wide selection of products and industry members can compete for those consumers in a fair and open marketplace.

Click Here to See the Ruling
Minnesota Liquor Laws and Rules Handbook
AGE Logo

The 2016 Introduction to Minnesota Liquor Laws and Rules Handbook is now available.

As laws change and the craft brew industry blossoms, there are many requirements for establishments that have changed in recent years.

The handbook details Minnesota liquor laws for manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers and the general public.

Click Here
What Do You Say to a Drunk.....
Drunk Guy 2


Q. What do you say to a drunk who walks into a bar
     with jumper cables around his neck?

A. You can stay, but don't start anything!

Q. Why can't you trust an atom?

   A. They make up everything!

   Q. Did you hear about the guy who broke his right arm
        and right leg?

   A. He's all right now!
Future Dates to Remember


Legislative Session Start

March 8, 2016

MMBA / MLBA
Legislative Day

March 22, 2016

Click Here for More Information
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
Click Here For Newsletter Archives 
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.   

 

  Click Here for the Website
Join Our Mailing List

Beverage Alcohol Training

BAT Logo
 Contact Bob Leslie at:
 
320-766-3871
 


Contact Gary Buysse at:

763-428-0164

5 Ways to Listen Better
In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, "We are losing our listening."

In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening - to other people and the world around you.

 Click Here 


Nine-tenths of education is encouragement

Contact Sutter Home
Ste. Michelle Logo

Contact Ste. Michelle Wine Estates


Contact Shamrock Group

NABCA
Contact the National Alcohol Beverage Control Association
MillerCoors

Contact MillerCoors


Contact Beam Suntory

AB Logo

Contact Anheuser-Busch