Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(March 6, 2016 - March 12, 2016)
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As I See It...

If you haven't already, please sign up for Legislative Day:
   
Online Registration is fast and easy!

Too busy to attend?  

If not you, then who?

Who is going to express concern for the well being of your store, your staff and your City?

Who is going to be the face that your State Representatives "see" in their minds when liquor related issues must be voted upon?

Whose voice will they "hear" when called to make a decision regarding your business?

Your State Legislators are, after all, only human and if they have no personal connection to an issue, they have no reason to vote in a way that positively impacts your life.

Too scared to attend?

It's true....it's scary to step out of your store and your everyday role to speak with people who seem to be in a position of power.

You may not know the so called "proper etiquette" involved or understand the issues in a comprehensive way.

Believe me when I tell you that we all feel that way!

That's why we gather together before meeting with Legislators to share information and answer questions.

That's why we offer to pair you with others that have been involved in the process for many years.

That's why we hold Legislative Day!

Again, your State Legislators are, after all, only human and truly want to interact with you on whatever level of experience you bring.

First and foremost, you need only to be yourself and speak from the heart about how upcoming legislation will affect your life, your staff and your contribution to your City.

Don't think it matters?

Every aspect of our industry, from manufacture to hours of sale, is regulated by State or Federal government.

The product that we sell elicits strong feelings from many groups within our society.

These groups will continue to propose changes to the way your business is conducted!

Do you really want others to determine your future?

Are you willing to allow the voice of others to change your life because of your schedule, your fear, and/or your apathy?

Get yourself to Legislative Day! 

Use the link above for further information and to sign up!

You only need to say "Hello" and you will be surrounded by MMBA/MLBA Staff and Managers willing to help in any way possible so your face can be seen, your voice can be heard!

Candice Woods
Hutchinson
Wine Sulfites
Wine2

Wine sulfites are naturally occurring at low levels in all wines, and are one of thousands of chemical by-products created during the fermentation process.

However, sulfites are also added by the winemaker to preserve and protect the wine from bacteria and yeast-laden invasions.

For some, sulfur allergies may be associated with headaches and stuffy sinuses after a glass or two of wine.
 
Sulfites in Wine - What are They and Where do They Come From?
 
Sulfur dioxide (SO2), or sulfites as they are best known in the wine world, is a chemical compound that occurs naturally at low levels during the process of wine fermentation.

It is also added by many winemakers during the fermentation stage of winemaking to protect and preserve the wine's character, flavor and color.

Sulfur Dioxide is both antimicrobial and antioxidant in nature - making it one of the top allies available to vintners, as it impedes the oxidation of the wine and prevents it from fermenting its way to vinegar.
 
Sulfur dioxide is also utilized in most wineries as part of the housekeeping regime - harsh chemicals (think bleach) would be a tough sell as a cleaning option for fermentation tanks, equipment, hoses, valves and other process hardware so sulfur dioxide is often the cleaner of choice.
 
"Contains Sulfites" - What's in a Label
 
Current FDA regulations in the United States require that all wines, both domestic and imports, that contain 10+ ppm of sulfur dioxide state "Contains Sulfites" on the label.

This label designation was intended to protect people that may be allergic to sulfites (an estimated 1% of the U.S.

Click Here for More 
Richfield Municipal Liquor Store Will Be Remodeled, Not Rebuilt
Construction

By Andrew Wig, Sun Current

After exploring the feasibility of constructing a new municipal liquor store near West 66th Street and Cedar Avenue, the city of Richfield will instead remodel the shop.

The Richfield City Council approved the $875,000 renovation Feb. 23.
 
Increased competition from the Total Wine chain and plans for the redevelopment of the Cedar corridor prompted calls for the renovation, which Liquor Operations Director Bill Fillmore expects will yield a remodeled store by Memorial Day.

Fillmore said the project is "very close" to being ready to commence.

Thanks to the relocation of the office and bathroom, the remodeled store will boast a 34 percent increase in cooler space in response to rising demand for craft beer, and 23 percent more shelving for wines and spirits, according to a city staff report.

The renovation follows a template set by the 2013 remodel of Richfield's municipal liquor store at Lyndale Avenue and West 65th Street.

Similar to that store, the refurbished Cedar Avenue location will include a tasting area and an exposed ceiling in keeping with modern design trends, among other aesthetic touches.

The store's exterior will get a makeover as well. Signage will include the new city logo that was unveiled last year, while the ceiling in the vestibule will be raised.

"It will be nice and light, especially with the new vestibule and the parking arrangement," Fillmore said.

To address parking needs, the city is hoping to add space by acquiring adjacent MnDOT-owned property to the east.

The renovation plans are an alternative to a suggestion entertained in January, when the city council discussed building a new store at the Cedar Avenue location.

Several factors made the reconstruction unfeasible.

City staff explored building a larger store by acquiring the neighboring office building directly to the west of the shop, but an elevation difference between the two properties would have necessitated significant grading work, according to the staff report.

There also would have been the risk of soil correction costs at the adjacent lot, the report continues, because the liquor store lot was previously the site of a longtime gas station.

Additionally, the construction of a new store alone would cost about $2.5 million.

In total, a reconstruction project would require the city to borrow $3 million and would fully deplete the city's liquor store fund, the staff report notes.

Councilmember Tom Fitzhenry had been the most vocal champion of exploring the feasibility of a new building, thankful the option was at least explored.

"I'm glad we went through this because I was getting the questions from other people: Why are we redoing a 30-year-old building?"

The shop is the most profitable among the city's four liquor stores, but was beginning to look dated and was in need of upgrades and repairs, the staff report notes.

"It will be like a new store," an enthusiastic Councilmember Edwina Garcia said.

As the building gets a face lift, next in line for similar treatment may be the municipal liquor store at Penn Avenue and west 64th Street, a site also in need of upgrades, according to City Manager Steve Devich.

"You do have a situation at Penn," Devich said. "We need to do something with that store."

That could involve relocation, he added.

Due to the Penn Avenue store's size, "I don't know if that lends itself to remodeling or not," Devich said.

Whatever the decision, Richfield resources are at stake since the city's recreation department relies on liquor store profits for its funding.

"We're competing with Total Wine and all these other places," Mayor Debbie Goettel said. "We have to be on our 'A game.'"
Bob Wanted to Be a Cowpoke

More than anything, Bob wanted to be a cowpoke.

Taking pity on him, a rancher decided to hire the lad and give him a chance.

"This," he said, showing him a rope, "is a lariat. We use it to catch cows."

"I see," said Bob, trying to seem knowledgeable as he examined the lariat.

"And what do you use for bait?" 
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
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 Contact Bob Leslie at:
 
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Contact Gary Buysse at:

763-428-0164

A Glimpse of Life on the Road
As a young girl, photojournalist and TED Fellow Kitra Cahana dreamed about running away from home to live freely on the road. Now as an adult and self-proclaimed vagabond, she follows modern nomads into their homes - boxcars, bus stops, parking lots, rest stop bathrooms - giving a glimpse into a culture on the margins.

  Click Here 

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