Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association Newsletter
(May 8, 2016 - May 14, 2016)
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for the
MMBA Website
As I See It...

As the Spring transitions into Summer, I begin to have more customers stopping into the store inquiring about buying alcohol for some type of large event be it a graduation, milestone birthday, wedding or just a large gathering of friends.

The common question, of course, is what kind of price I can offer to them.

It's at this time the customer makes sure to let me know they want to shop locally.

I want them to shop locally too, but I know I probably can't compete with the larger liquor stores in my area when it comes to price.
 
How am I going to win over this customer to get them to shop in our store for their big purchase?
 
Customer service!
 
I let the customer know I need some additional information about the event, so I can give them what they might need for a well-planned event.

I ask just enough questions to get an idea of what their event planning journey has encompassed thus far.

Some of these questions include the following:
 
What's the type of event?
Where is the event being held?
What time of day?
How many people are expected?
What types of food will be served?
Will they want non-alcohol options?
Will they need ice or glasses?
 
I then discuss quantities of beer, wine, spirits they might need based on the answers they have given to my questions.

I let them know what our store case discounts are and our return policies should they have extras they can't use.

I thank them for stopping into our store and make sure they know I would appreciate their business.
 
If I've done my job properly, then that customer will leave our store with only one question on their mind,"Why should I shop anywhere else but at the Olivia Liquor Store?"
 
More often than not, the customer service they have received to ensure  their event is a success when it comes to the beverages served, seals the deal more than any price I could offer to attempt to compete with a larger volume liquor store.

Nanette Serbus 
Olivia
Why Shoppers are Staying Home More & More
Fun

By Bob Phibbs, the Retail Doctor

Is it a mystery why shoppers are staying home more and more?

Shopping in brick and mortar stores are simply not fun.

But it used to be.

Employees used to be valued.

Not because they posted pictures, or wore a brand's clothes, or were paid to influence their community of Instagram followers.

It was because they were all working for the same goal.

When employees learn proper retail sales techniques and are taught how they can enjoy working in retail, management can keep those brand ambassadors at their peak.

And when they do that, fun comes naturally.

It isn't a gimmick or a promo.

It's genuine.

The fun that comes from your crew sharing new technology and the gee whiz of the experience...

The fun of outfitting the woman going on a date...

The challenge of finding just the right elements for the weekend project.

These all take a laser focus on the fun of your crew making the customers' day.

You never want your team to lose their focus, their drive, their fun...all aimed at getting the sale. 

Looking to fix your brick and mortar shop?

Think about the lack of fun in your business. 

Do your employees give off a feeling of pessimism or hope?

Shoppers are much less inclined to buy from pessimists.

If you and I can see it, so can your customers. 

2016 MMBA Conference Wine Dinner Pairings
Wine2

The recent MMBA Conference featured three fabulous wine dinners.

Per member request, here are the pairings:

Saturday
 
Romaine Wedge with black olives, peppercini, crushed artichokes & lemon basil vinaigrette dressing
 
**Ferrari Brut
 
Braised beef stuffed Ravioli with mushroom cream sauce
 
**Rocca della Macie Sasyr
 
Risotto Stuffed Red Pepper
 
**Bertani Valpolicella Ripasso
 
Osso buco, roasted potatoes & vegetables
 
**Fontanafredda Barbera
 
Chocolate made and drizzled with Bauchant
 
** Bauchant Napoleon Liqueur
 
 
Sunday
 
Italian
 
Pesta Pasta Caprese Salad
Proscuiito, cappicola, mozzarella, tomato & arugula on Focacia
Tiramisu
 
**Santa Cristina Pinot Grigio and Rosso
 
California
 
Roasted Vegetable Quinoa Salad
Shrimp Tacos with assocted toppings & sauces
 
**Motto Gung Ho and Cabernet Sauvignon
**CSM Harvest Select Riesling
**CSM Indian Wells Chardonny and Cabernet Sauvignon
**14 Hands Stampede
**Intrinsic Caberent Sauvignon
 
Chile
 
Grilled Flank steak with peppers & onions
Chilean Rice
Bananas Foster
 
**Haras Carmenere and Hussonet Cabernet Sauvignon
 
Spain
 
Paella
Leche Fritz
 
**Torres 5 G
**Torres Sangre de Toro Garnacha and Tempranillo
 
New Zealand
 
Lamb Sliders
Crunch Potato Wedges
 
**Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noi
 
Monday
 
Spring Salad with grilled vegetables (tomatoes, yellow squash & onion) with sundried tomato vinaigrette dressing
 
**Kendal Jackson VR Pinot Gris
 
Wild rice stuffed mushrooms with white wine cream sauce
 
**Cambrian Benchbreak Chardonnay
 
Cherry glazed shredded pork Flatbread
 
**LaCream Willamette Pinot Noir
 
Sliced Beef Tenderloin with red wine demi
Garlic whipped Yukon gold potatoes
Fresh Roasted Green Beans
Warm Rolls & Butter
 
** Murphy Good Minnesota Red
 
Salted Chocolate Ganache Bars
 
**Edmeades Zinfandel

Remember, all of the conference handouts can be found
by clicking here.  
Fear-Inducing??????

Yesterday, a House amendment to allow Sunday Sales failed on a 56 - 70 vote.

The StarTribune said:

The lobbying coalition opposing Sunday sales is perceived at the Capitol as wielding unusual, fear-inducing clout...

Fear-Inducing?????

Nothing could be further from the truth!!

The participation of individual SMART coalition members was the key to success!!

Those personal relationships overcame the truly powerful forces advocating for the initiative, including the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States, Minnesota Grocers Association and Total Wine & More.

Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislator!!

Your involvement made the difference!!

To see how your legislator voted, click here and go to page 37 of 52 of the document / page 8059 of the Journal.

A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities and an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties 
Future Dates to Remember


Legislative Session
End

May 23, 2016

2017 MMBA
Annual Conference

April 29 - May 2, 2017
Ask A Director

Gary Buysse
Rogers
763-428-0163

Cathy Pletta
Kasson
507-634-7618
  
Bill Ludwig
Paynesville
320-250-3325
  
Nancy Raines
Longville
218-363-3249 
  
John Jacobi
Isanti
763-444-5063

Nanette Serbus
Olivia
320-523-2730

Steve Grausam
Edina
952-903-5732

Chris Arnold
Bagley
218-694-2542
E-Mail Me

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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Beverage Alcohol Training

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 Contact Bob Leslie at:
 
320-766-3871
 


Contact Gary Buysse at:

763-428-0164

How to Grow
Fresh Air
Researcher Kamal Meattle shows how an arrangement of three common houseplants, used in specific spots in a home or office building, can result in measurably cleaner indoor air.

Click Here
Age Discrimination at Car Dealership
Elderly Couple
A retired older couple return to a Mercedes dealership where the salesman has just sold the car they were interested in to a beautiful young woman.
 
"I thought you said you would hold that car till we raised the $155,000 asking price," said the older man.

"Yet I just heard you closed the deal for $130,000 to the lovely young lady there.
 
You insisted there was no way you could discount this model."
 
"Well, what can I tell you?
 
She had the ready cash and, just look at her, how could I resist?" replied the grinning salesman.
 
Just then the young woman approached the senior couple and gave the car keys to the old man......
 
"There you go," she said.

 "I told you I could get that jerk to lower the price...
 
See you later, dad."

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