Another record year for municipal liquor stores

BLUE EARTH, Minn. (AP) — A state audit shows Minnesota's municipal-run liquor stores had another record year in sales.

Total sales for the 209 liquor stores statewide was $313 million in 2010, the 15th consecutive year of record sales. The Minnesota State Auditor's Office annual report says the stores had a combined net profit of nearly $22 million in 2010, a slight decrease from the previous year.

Minnesota municipalities were originally authorized to own and operate liquor establishments as a means of controlling sales of alcohol. For some communities, municipal liquor store profits have helped their bottom line.

The Free Press (http://bit.ly/H6rwyt ) says Blue Earth paid off its bond on its store earlier this year and will build a park picnic shelter this summer using store earnings.

Tags: blue earth, updates, minnesota, news