Lakeville liquor operations report: sales flat, fund transfers supported police debt and equipment

The Lakeville liquor department reported on Jan. 21 that 2024 sales were essentially flat with 2023 — $22,700,000 in 2024 versus $22,760,000 in 2023 — while gross profit increased and customer counts rose.

Director Miss Wold told the council that sales per transaction decreased, a retail trend the department expects, while average transaction value was $76. The liquor fund contributed nearly $1,600,000 to city purposes including the equipment fund and debt service for a police station, contributions that staff said would otherwise be covered by property taxes.

Wold said the department hosted more than 50 promotional events that increased revenue by about $130,000 and over 70 private rentals that generated roughly $60,000 in fees and bar sales. Ecommerce sales nearly doubled compared with 2023, the presentation said.

The department reported fundraising and community partnerships: nearly $33,000 for the Beyond the Yellow Ribbon program; more than $20,000 for the Lakeville Rotary’s Taste of Lakeville; almost $35,000 for area food shelves; over $26,000 for children’s environmental programming at Ritter Farm Park; and $4,000 raised through a 90th-anniversary 5K for breast-cancer awareness.

Achievements listed included being named a top-100 retailer by Beverage Dynamics magazine and receipt of a Reader’s Choice Award from the Sun Times. Wold said staff training included WSET Level 2 certification for two staff members and planned Level 1 spirits certification for nine employees.

Ending: Council members thanked staff for their work and partnerships; no formal action was required.