Municipal liquor stores made $20 million in 2006

According to a state auditor's report, 44 cities that operate municipal liquor operations across the state lost money in 2006, including four communities in the metro area - Robbinsdale, Mound, Shorewood and Farmington.

Star Tribune

Last update: April 30, 2008 - 9:21 PM

THE LATEST: Minnesota cities that operate municipal liquor stores collectively had record sales for the 11th consecutive year and turned a net profit of $20 million in 2006, according to a report recently released by the state auditor's office.

PROFITS: Net profits jumped by $1.3 million compared with sales in 2005. But 44 cities that operate municipal liquor stores lost money in 2006, including four communities in the metro area -- Robbinsdale, Mound, Shorewood and Farmington. The figures for 2006 were the latest available.

IN THE METRO: Sales in the 20 communities that have municipal liquor outlets averaged $2.6 million. The average net profit of metro-area municipal stores was $184,108, the report said. Profits can be used to finance city departments and projects.

In terms of big gainers, Eden Prairie reported a net profit of $1.3 million, the highest in the metro area.

Metro cities that ended up in the red included Farmington at $47,066, Shorewood at $15,930, Robbinsdale at $14,865 and Mound at $11,759.

The highest sales figure was in Lakeville, $12.1 million.

TIM HARLOW

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