Press Release: State Auditor Blaha Releases Municipal Liquor Store Report

St. Paul, MN – Earlier today, State Auditor Julie Blaha released the Analysis of Municipal Liquor Store Operations report. This report is for the year ended December 31, 2018. At a press conference at St. Anthony Village Wine and Spirits, a municipal liquor store, Auditor Blaha discussed the trends and underlying financial data in the report.

“While the number of liquor stores show decline, the profitability of those remaining stores is increasing,” said State Auditor Blaha. “That suggests the strong local oversight model for municipal liquor stores is effective.”

During 2018, Minnesota’s municipal liquor operations reported a 23rd consecutive year of record sales, totaling $360.2 million. Total sales generated in 2018 increased by $11.3 million, or 3.2 percent, over 2017.

Auditor Blaha was joined for the report release by St. Anthony Village Mayor Jerry Faust, St. Anthony Village City Manager Mark Casey and St. Anthony Village Wine and Spirits Liquor Operations Manager Mike Larson.

"We find the annual auditors report beneficial in that it allows us to compare and contrast with similar liquor operations,” said St. Anthony Village Mayor Jerry Faust. “It is not used as a club or a crutch but a tool to better our business."

The combined net profit of all municipal liquor operations totaled $29.0 million in 2018. This represents an increase of $5.9 million, or 25.6 percent, over the amount generated in 2017. Among on-sale operations, net profits totaled $3.5 million in 2018, which was an increase of $1.2 million, or 50.4 percent, over 2017. Total net profits for off-sale operations totaled $25.5 million in 2018, which represents an increase of $4.7 million, or 22.8 percent, over 2017.

During 2018, Minnesota’s municipal liquor operations reported operating expenses totaling $78.7 million. This represents an increase of $463,777, or 0.6 percent, over the amount reported in 2017.

You can view the full report by clicking here.

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The Office of the State Auditor is the constitutional office that oversees nearly $40 billion in local government finances for Minnesota taxpayers. The Office of the State Auditor helps to ensure financial integrity and accountability in local government financial activities. Julie Blaha is Minnesota’s 19th State Auditor. Follow us on Twitter @MNStateAuditor.