PLAINVIEW, Minn. – The Plainview municipal liquor store was he most profitable in the state in 2020 based on net profit sales as a percent of sales, the state auditor reported. The Plainview “muni” scored a gross profit of $246,000 on sales of $735,000 — a margin of 33.6%. Statewide the 213 munis posted sales of $410 million, a 10% increase. State Auditor Julie Blaha attributed the pandemic for the extraordinary rise. People drank more at home. At $18.3 million the Lakeville muni had the highest sales.
Liquor flowing. Muni sales up a third at Plainview shop.
Muni profile
After the 21st Amendment to the U.S Constitution in 1933, the states were left to decide how to regulate liquor sales or whether to at all. Minnesota decided in 1934 to allow municipalities to own and operate on-sale and off-sale stores to generate revenue for local government operations. Some did. Some didn’t.