Municipal Liquor Stores Report Strong Profits
The Minnesota State Auditor’s Office reports municipal liquor stories had a banner year. Robbinsdale’s municipal liquor store also had a good year with sales up 17 percent over the previous year. Managers say new Sunday sales had a small role in the higher numbers. An expanded selection of wine and craft beers also contributed. Profits go back into the city’s parks.
Good numbers statewide
According to the Minnesota State Auditor’s Office, municipal liquor store sales totaled $349 million dollars in 2017. That’s a 1.5 percent increase from 2016.
All of the profits generated from Robbinsdale’s municipal liquor store are poured back into the city’s parks. And in 2017, business at Robbinsdale Wine & Spirits was up 17 percent over the previous year.
“A lot of people do want to support their city and are excited to shop at a city-owned store where the profits do go back into their community, which I think everybody’s excited about,” said Chris Huber, the manager of Robbinsdale Wine & Spirits.
Good numbers in Robbinsdale
Robbinsdale Wine & Spirits had $3.5 million in sales in 2017, with a net profit of about $150,019.
Huber says Sunday sales had a small role in that, but an expanded selection of wine and craft beers also contributed to the higher profits.
Managers have high expectations for next year too.
Robbinsdale Wine & Spirits moved next to the new Hy-Vee grocery store, giving the store more exposure and an expanded customer base since opening on September 18.
“We are noticing great things happening,” Huber said. “Our wine sales are up. Our beer sales are up. Our liquor sales are up. Our craft beer is going amazingly. We’re really enjoying being in the new space.”
One downside to the increased business is that Robbinsdale Wine & Spirits needs to bolster its staff. They’d like to hire four part time employees, but they’re having trouble finding applicants.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn Center’s municipal liquor store had a good year too. They did $6.4 million in sales in 2017, which put it 9th in the entire state among municipal liquor stores.
