On Premise November/December 2020 by Nei-Turner Media Group

The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 TLW.ORG

THE EVOLUTION OF

SAFERIDE

ALSO INSIDE: Navigating TLW.org Eight Ways to Increase Cash Flow Restaurant Act Needed for Industry Survival

PARTNERS -IN PROGRESSHosts of the World’s Largest Dart Tournament & the Nation’s Largest Pool Tournament TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN • Co-sponsor of TLW Legislative Day • Underwriter of TLW Video on Jobs and Employment • Provider of Coin-Operated Games at TLW Conferences & Shows to Benefit TIPAC • Sponsor of the TLW Trip Give-away at TLW Spring Conference & Show • Donor of Large Screen TV at TLW Fall Convention & Show

LOCAL TAVERN LEAGUE PROGRAMS (Saferide, Golf, Others) • Contributions and support from individual WAMO members • Matching Funds from WAMO to Tavern League Locals • Contributions to SafeRide Program, Golf and Others • Active Participation and Attendance

U PP O RT RS E

Visit www.WAMO.net for more information.

WISCONSIN AMUSEMENT & MUSIC OPERATORS PO Box 259506 Madison, WI 53725 608.709.1960 608.824.2205 EMAIL amanda@wamo.net PHONE FAX

A complete list of WAMO members can be found at www.WAMO.net.

The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 VOLUME 38, NO. 6

FEATURES

VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Make tlw.org your go-to destination for everything Tavern League.

SAFERIDE: A LOOK BACK. . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Wisconsin becomes a leader in the movement to help customers find their way home safely.

SAFERIDE: A NATIONWIDE MODEL. . . . . 22

This innovative program has been offering safe rides home for over three decades.

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS LEAGUE PROFILE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Jefferson County Tavern League

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Linda’s Lookout

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Rainbow Hospice Care

MEET THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER. . . 27 Lori Frommgen

DEPARTMENTS President’s Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Corporate Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Front Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 ABL Dispatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

18 Accounting on Tap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Affiliate Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 2020 Golf Outing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Industry Trends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

SOCIALIZE WITH US:

www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE CLOSING OUT 2020 AND LOOKING AHEAD

y the time you are reading this, 2020 will be drawing to a close. Many of us are glad to see it go, yet apprehensive about what lies ahead for our industry in 2021. What a year it was with our businesses put in a situation we never thought we’d experience — the complete shutdown of bars and restaurants throughout the entire state of Wisconsin. The TLW went into immediate action, getting out all of the information possible as fast as we were receiving it. Our only concern was what we needed to do for you, our members, so you would survive this devastating economic shutdown. Those of us with food could at least still sell some carryout, but our members without were shut down tighter than a drum. We left no stone unturned in finding ways to get businesses open so that our members could continue to pay their bills and feed their families. We got involved in the Supreme Court case, writing an amicus brief to bring the plight of all small businesses to the attention of the court. The court overturned the governor’s order and, after more than two months, we were able to open in time to catch what should have been a great summer season. We did the best we could—moving tables and barstools, social distancing, wearing masks, putting up barriers, cleaning and sanitizing, and anything else that would make our customers more comfortable. But on Aug. 15, we were hit with a mask mandate and, then in October, we were hit with Emergency Order #3, which limited our businesses to 25% occupancy. For many of our members, it was a moneylosing proposition to even open their doors. Again, the TLW swung into action filing a lawsuit on behalf of our members. A judge in Sawyer County granted a temporary restraining order, once again letting our members open to a greater than 25% capacity. Less than a week later, however, a Barron County judge struck it down. Back to square one. On appeal, the 3rd District Court upheld the restraining order. Talk about your head spinning! This is not over yet. The original order expires on Nov. 6, so we will see what happens.

“IF MAKING TONS OF MONEY WAS THE GOAL, WE ARE CERTAINLY IN THE WRONG BUSINESS. THE GRATIFICATION WE AS HOSPITALITY PEOPLE GET IS SERVING OUR CUSTOMERS, MAKING THEM FEEL SAFE AND COMFORTABLE, AND HOPING TO SEE THEM AGAIN ANOTHER DAY. WE WOULD NEVER ENDANGER OUR CUSTOMERS, OUR EMPLOYEES OR OUR FAMILIES.” Throughout this whole ordeal, I must share with you, our members, what TLW Executive Director Pete Madland, TLW Lobbyist Scott Stenger and myself experienced for sticking up for our members. Our goal was always for our members to be able to open safely, follow the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) guidelines, and be able to run their businesses so that they could continue to pay their bills and employees, and keep their doors open. Some people, not all, were under the impression that we were after nothing but money, caring nothing for the safety of our customers and employees, only wanting to get our patrons drunk and put them on the road, while filling our pockets. Nothing could be further from the truth. Our members, who are responsible citizens of the community, are just trying to survive. Over the last six months, I heard from many members in tears wondering how they were going to continue in a business that took their whole life to build. A business that allowed them to keep a roof over their head and feed their children. A business that they poured their heart, soul and life into making a reality. If making tons of money was the goal, we are certainly in the wrong business. The gratification we as hospitality (continued on Page 6)

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

www.tlw.org

CORPORATE MEMBERS Support Those Who Support our Association

SUPPORT THOSE WHO

SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION

PLATINUM MEMBERS PLATINUM SPONSORS

2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

GOLD MEMBERS GOLD SPONSORS

Anheuser-Busch

TA V E R N L E A G U E O F W I S C O N S I N

SILVER SPONSORS

SILVER MEMBERS

BRONZE SPONSORS BRONZE MEMBERS

Amusement & list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call Make sure to thank these groups for their support andWisconsin encourage others not on the Musicthe Operators, the TLW office (608-270-8591) for more information regarding benefits ofInc. the different categories. Remember “Support those who support us.” www.tlw.org Make sure and thank these groups for their support, and encourage others not on the list to participate. Any business interested in2020 joining should call 5 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER On Premise the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support us.” n

people get is serving our customers, making them feel safe and comfortable, and hoping to see them again another day. We would never endanger our customers, our employees or our families. Unfortunately, due to all this pandemic mess, we were unable to have our last two conventions. We were planning to have an election for executive officers at the fall convention. There were three uncontested races, and I would like to congratulate Cathy Vales, senior vice president; Erin Pulaski, state secretary; and Todd Giraud, our new state treasurer, on their election. Thank you for stepping up into these leadership positions. I want to additionally thank Tom Dahlen for over 20 years of hard work and service as our state treasurer. You will be greatly missed, but we look forward to seeing you at all of our conventions as a visitor instead of making you work. Dahlen sold his business and has decided to enjoy his welldeserved retirement. Dahlen was not only a great treasurer and leader of this association, but also a great friend over the years. He was instrumental in implementing many programs and fundraisers that allow the TLW Foundation to be able to give back to our local leagues.

PRESIDENT

Chris Marsicano

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Cathy Vales

SECRETARY Erin Pulaski

TREASURER Tom Dahlen

SOUTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Dan Taivalkoski

SOUTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Jim Pickett

EASTERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Tim "Tippy" Tomchek

EASTERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Terri Buman

CENTRAL ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Paul Salzwedel

CENTRAL DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Lori Frommgen

NORTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Jen Gunning

NORTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Nancy Lorbetske

Moreover, many of you may have heard by now that Pete Madland, our executive director for the last 20 years, and past president and director before that, will retire at the end of January 2021. He has done way more for this association than I can put in this column. Madland is the face of this association in Wisconsin and around the United States. We have huge shoes to fill. I hope he will continue to stay on with the TLW in a new, less time-consuming role that allows him to enjoy retirement with LuAnn and yet allow us to continue to tap his vast knowledge of this industry. Madland has not only become one of my greatest friends, but also a mentor. I always look forward to the time we spend together, and he has helped me navigate through choppy waters both personally and professionally.

PAST PRESIDENT Terry Harvath

EDITOR

Pete Madland, Executive Director, TLW

MANAGING EDITOR

Carrie Mantey, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jerriann Mullen, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

ADVERTISING SALES

Cindy Micha, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. cmicha@ntmediagroup.com

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

Julie Schiller, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc. ads@ntmediagroup.com

PRINTED BY

LSC Communications, Pontiac, Illinois

A committee will be formed to find his successor. We will keep you all posted on its progress. Please drop Madland a line to let him know what he has meant to you over the years. Here’s to 2021!

TLW

Salute,

On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) is a bimonthly publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin Inc., 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713, Phone: (800) 445-9221. On Premise is produced by Nei-Turner Media Group Inc., 400 Broad St., Unit D, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher. Printing is by LSC Communications, Pontiac, IL. For advertising information, please contact Cindy Micha, (262) 903-8633, cmicha@ntmediagroup.com. Subscriptions included in TLW membership dues; non-member subscriptions cost $15 per year. Postmaster: Send address corrections to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Office, 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005. Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI and other additional offices. ©2020 Tavern League of Wisconsin Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication, and credit given to author and On Premise.

Chris Marsicano TLW President

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

www.tlw.org

FRONT RAIL THE TIME HAS COME BY PETE MADLAND, TLW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

ll good things must come to an end and so it is that I am retiring as executive director of the TLW. Needless to say, the decision was not an easy one. I debated with myself and my wife many hours before deciding what to do, but finally realized the time has come. After doing a little research, I found that I was elected to the state board of directors in 1989, and served as president in both Pierce and Barron counties. I was elected state president in 1995 and served until 2001. I then served as the Tavern League’s field representative until 2005, when I was hired as your executive director. Thirty-one years is a long time and so the time has come for a new face with a new perspective and new ideas. There are so many “thank yous” to send that I cannot begin to do justice to those of you I owe gratitude to. First and foremost, I want to thank you, the members. No matter where I traveled in Wisconsin, you made me feel welcome. The pats on the back and demonstration of appreciation meant more to me than you will ever know. That occasional “thank you for all you do” more than made up for the complaints, nasty emails, etc. You treated me well and fed me chicken in more ways than I can count. Because of you and my job, I get to brag that I have drank in more bars in Wisconsin than anyone alive. You people are the best! I have worked with many different board members over the years. We did not always agree, but in that lies our strength. You hired me even though I had no experience as an executive director. I always appreciated the confidence you had in me. I hope, looking back, that you feel it was a good choice. Understand that the board of directors plays a very important role regarding how our association functions. Don’t take your role lightly. Each and every one of you are important. During my tenure, I had the privilege to work with several TLW presidents, including Jerry Hinderman, Bill Hunter, Rob

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

“BECAUSE OF YOU AND MY JOB, I GET TO BRAG THAT I HAVE DRANK IN MORE BARS IN WISCONSIN THAN ANYONE ALIVE. YOU PEOPLE ARE THE BEST!” Swearingen, Terry Harvath and Chris Marsicano. They all had different styles, but I like to think we were able to work together to get things done for the betterment of the league. I want to also thank Scott Stenger who walked me through the halls of the Capitol and taught me much on how the political process works. And though I had several staff members help me through the years, this last year was the most challenging. With that in mind, a special thanks to my current staff, Becca Williams and Steve Van, for your hard work and support. You rock! That brings me to my final acknowledgement, my wife, LuAnn. She is the strongest person I have ever met. I cannot begin to list the many issues she had to face by herself during her hundreds of days and nights alone while I was on the road. I recall pipes freezing, sewers backing up, our dogs dying and yes, even a tornado. She dealt with these events and countless others by herself. She is incredible! Louie, thank you for your never-ending strength and support through all these years, and yes, we will take that vacation I have been promising for years. So the time has come for me to step aside, and make room for new ideas and new perspectives. I will look back on this stage of my life with great fondness. When I accepted this position, I promised that I would work hard and never embarrass this association. I like to believe I kept my promise. The TLW will always be a part of me and your kindness will never be forgotten. So long and God bless you all.

TLW www.tlw.org

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT WISCONSIN WINE AND SPIRIT INSTITUTE

strong legislative partner of the TLW and a corporate sponsor, the Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute is based in Madison, but supports industry members statewide. It works on behalf of the wine and spirits industries to ensure proper legislation is heard at the state level, explains Director of Advocacy Nathan Conrad. Closely following regulatory developments and working for fair legislative rules are at the top of this TLW corporate sponsor’s agenda. The institute also provides educational opportunities for its members. As the Tavern League advocates for and monitors legislation on behalf of tavern and restaurant owners, the Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute is working for the distilleries and distributors, integral partners in the state’s beverage family. Without one, the other doesn’t exist. “We provide members with proper representation at the state level, and also ensure the public has a positive outlook on the wine and spirits industries,” Conrad says. This mission may sound very familiar to TLW members, as it is very aligned with the league’s goals for its members. Conrad explains that, while he is the spokeperson, the organization has a board of directors that monitors all areas, like any other similar institute. “It’s so imperative to keep elected officials and their staffs apprised of situations we feel are important to the wine and spirits industry,” Conrad explains. “We keep both the private and public informed on these issues.”

In the United States, it’s $350 billion of economic impact, just under 2% of the gross domestic product, an “extremely important industry” for the entire nation, Conrad continues. He’s been encouraged though not surprised to see the resilience of the TLW community as challenges have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic, trying to maintain staff positions and contribute to communities in need. While legislators aren’t in session until the new year begins, the work doesn’t end in advocating and promoting all of these intertwined industries — wine and spirits, taverns, restaurants and so on. “At the end of the day, the biggest thing we want to do is advocate for growth of the economy and continue to help secure good-paying jobs that will not only help the wine and spirits industry, but our inline workers as well, so we can help the members of the Tavern League,” he says. The Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute is proud to be a part of the Tavern League. Conrad says there’s no doubt how important league members are in the state’s economy and the daily lives of so many throughout the state. He believes the Tavern League provides a special and unique opportunity for mom-and-pop businesses to grow, be successful and live an American dream. “The TLW affords these businesses the ability to grow. We’re adamant that continues and are happy to be partners,” Conrad concludes. TLW WISCONSIN WINE AND SPIRIT INSTITUTE

22 N. Carroll Street, Suite, 200, Madison, WI 53703

He says, from COVID-19 restrictions to other in-demand topics, the TLW and Wisconsin Wine and Spirit Institute are involved in the same issues in Madison, making sure those who want to build a successful business and provide jobs in the wine or spirits industry can. Conrad explains that, in Wisconsin, 55,000 people are employed in the industries that surround wine and spirits. In wages alone, that accounts for approximately $1.9 billion in economic impact, a huge indicator for the state. “That’s not only the wine and spirits industries working, but the distributors and the members of the Tavern League, who are extremely important to ensure a healthy and vibrant economy when they work hand in hand,” he adds. www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

ABL Dispatch — The Latest Industry News from Washington BY JOHN BODNOVICH, ABL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

COVID-19 FEDERAL RELIEF: WHERE WE ARE As mentioned in the last issue of On Premise, there has been a lot of talk since July about another COVID-19 relief package, but little has been accomplished. Despite months of onagain/off-again negotiations, a deal still requires Senate Republican support. A must-pass government funding bill, however, could provide a vehicle for some sort of COVID-19 relief measure. If Congress and the White House are unable to compromise on a bill in 2020, expect negotiations to restart in 2021, regardless of who controls the White House and Senate. With several pending policy issues up for consideration before Congress, there may be a lame-duck session this November and December. However, a protracted fight over the election outcome could slow the process and depress the appetite to make progress on lingering issues. Debate over a COVID-19 relief package, not to mention the need to pass legislation to continue to fund the government, are at the top of the priority list. Current government funding expires on December 11, 2020.

Act, a $120 billion package that provides grants for restaurants, bars and food trucks. The bipartisan, bicameral RESTAURANTS Act secured 203 House cosponsors and 40 Senate cosponsors. The program would be available to eligible entities, including “a restaurant, food stand, food truck, food cart, caterer, saloon, inn, tavern, bar, lounge, brewpub, tasting room, taproom, licensed facility or premise of a beverage alcohol producer where the public may taste, sample or purchase products, or other similar place of business in which the public or patrons assemble for the primary purpose of being served food or drink.” The legislation would be open to establishments that are not publicly traded or part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name. While the eventual outcome of a larger COVID-19 relief bill is far from certain, this is good news for beverage alcohol retailers. Passage of a COVID-19 relief bill with the RESTAURANTS Act included in it sets a good precedent for the negotiation of future bills, this year or next. ABL supports additional federal economic relief for hospitality businesses, and will continue to work with Congress and aligned partners to move legislation.

PPP ROUND TWO The House passage of the revised $2.2 trillion Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act is a welcome development for what relief measures it includes (more on that in a moment), but as we have subsequently seen, it has not moved the needle with the GOP Senate. There is the possibility that all hospitality business owners should prepare themselves for no additional relief from Congress until January or February 2021. It may come sooner — and we are advocating for that — but there is not a lot of optimism now and business owners should prepare. In the meantime, ABL continues to work on a handful of individual relief measures in hopes that all or some will find their way into relief legislation.

RESTAURANTS ACT INCLUDED IN REVISED HEROES ACT In September, House Democrats introduced a revised version of the HEROES Act. The $2.2 trillion COVID-19 relief bill includes the Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS)

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

ABL joined other retail trade associations on a letter on September 28 to members of the House of Representatives urging them to sign a discharge petition to compel the House to vote. The bill would provide access to additional capital for small businesses by amending the Small Business Act and the Coronovirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act to establish a program for second draw loans and make other modifications to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). In the Senate, the Continuing Small Business Recovery and Paycheck Protection Program Act, cosponsored by Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), would authorize the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide second draw loans of up to $2 million under the PPP, with participants eligible for forgiveness of a second draw loan in the same manner as an initial paycheck protection loan. Among other requirements, a loan recipient must demonstrate at least a 50% reduction in gross revenues. A second draw of PPP loan funding would be a lifeline for many beverage licensees who are facing an uncertain winter ahead. www.tlw.org

IMPACT FROM CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC ON ALCOHOL SALES IN WISCONSIN FROM APRIL TO DECEMBER 2020

On-Premises

Off-Premises

Supplier

Induced

Total

Jobs

(26,475)

1,441

(4,686)

(6,762)

(36,482)

Wages

$-516,451,000

$39,685,000

$-251,464,000

$-307,735,000

$-1,035,965,000

Sales

$-1,950,932,000

$315,073,000

$-1,635,859,000

ABL RELEASES UPDATED COVID-19 ECONOMIC IMPACT MODEL

Congress’ support and additional COVID-19 relief to survive, not the threat of tax increases on their industry.”

On September 23, ABL released an updated version of its COVID-19 Economic Impact Model, including a guide and methodology that explains the model and how to use it. As the guide notes, “The COVID-19 impact model estimates changes in sales, employment and wages for on- and off-premises alcoholic beverage retailers, as well as for the industries directly and indirectly affected by them.”

In 2018, the Beer Serves America study concluded America’s beer industry supports more than 2.1 million jobs, contributing more than $328 billion to the U.S. economy. The beer industry also pays nearly $59 billion annually in taxes, meaning — on average — taxes account for 40% of the cost of a beer.

The model was developed by John Dunham & Associates, the economic research firm that conducted the comprehensive 2018 ABL economic impact study. The model is to be used by ABL members and affiliates to underscore the impact of the pandemic on their businesses as they seek aid and support due to the COVID-19 crisis. ABL encourages members of the TLW to share the figures with their governor, congresspeople, senators, state legislators, state Alcohol Beverage Control and the media.

ABL WEIGHS IN ON BEER LOSSES DUE TO COVID-19

DEALING WITH STATE-IMPOSED OPERATING RESTRICTIONS Just as in many other states, bars and taverns in Wisconsin are dealing with COVID-19 operating restrictions that can have devastating effects for on-premise businesses. Here are four things you can do to oppose arbitrary restrictions that unfairly scapegoat bars and taverns: 1. Gather and Share Information • Develop and research statistics on shutdowns ruining your local hospitality economy. Keep track of how many bars are closed in your town and how many are out of business for good.

On September 25, ABL joined the Beer Institute, the Brewers Association and the National Beer Wholesalers Association in releasing a report from a leading economic firm showing more than 651,000 jobs supported by the U.S. beer industry will be lost by the end of the year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These job losses include more than 3,600 brewing jobs, 1,800 distributing jobs and 400,000 retail-related jobs.

• Request evidence from local officials that continued operations of bars and taverns that are compliant with guidelines are disproportionately contributing to the spread of COVID-19.

My comment was: “Even though the vast majority of bars and package stores have diligently followed COVID-19 regulations and guidelines so they can continue to serve their customers and communities, the unfortunate truth is many beer retailers have been forced to lay off employees or close their doors altogether due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bars and taverns that have been allowed to reopen are fighting to simply stay in business in the face of occupancy and hours of operation restrictions that have many teetering on the brink of collapse. These local businesses need

2. Set the Record Straight • Emphasize the fact that virus spread is also coming from family gatherings where there are no enforceable safety protocols, which stands in stark contrast to highly regulated bars and taverns. Contact tracing reveals that family gatherings and private events are causes for spikes in the virus.

www.tlw.org

• Reach out to local universities and colleges to help educate bar owners and their staff. (The Tavern League is already taking the lead on this; see resources at the end of this article.)

3. Point Out Unintended Consequences • In Ohio, the city of Cincinnati saw a 49% increase in shootings NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

an environment that is regulated and supervised — especially important in COVID-19 times. Bar owners have skin in the game to follow rules, and keep patrons healthy and safe so they can keep their doors open.

this year, and the mayor and police chief link that uptick to the 10 p.m. liquor curfew enacted by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. • Closing bars but allowing restaurants to stay open and serve alcohol not only creates an unlevel playing field for bars just trying to stay alive, but it also serves to drive socializing to other businesses that have not been proven to be any safer than bars that follow the same guidelines. 4. Make Your Case • Share and publicize your safety plans to demonstrate how serious you and your fellow bar owners are about opening safely. What is your plan? Document it just as you would document the training of your employees to create a record of compliance and proactive steps to operate safely. • Remind government officials and the media that bar owners and their staff are trained professionals at serving alcohol in

• Bars and taverns are already routinely regulated businesses. A culture of making sure that regulations are being followed is innate. • Keep local bars open where professionals can sell and serve as they were trained to, and authorities can enforce COVID-19 guidelines. Bars and taverns understand compliance and selling age-restricted products to adults. TLW ABL is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. ABL represents the TLW and its many members, as well as thousands of other on- and off-premise retailers of beverage alcohol across the United States.

RESOURCES HEROES Act:

https://bit.ly/32fhtLX

RESTAURANTS Act: H.R. 8265: PPP Act:

congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7197

congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/8265

congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/senate-bill/4321

UW System, Tavern League, Restaurant Association Seek Help From Bars, Restaurants As Students Return: https://bit.ly/32cLI5U

TIRED OF CREDIT CARD FEES? CASH DISCOUNT PROGRAM Virtually Eliminates Your Credit Card Processing Fees 4 Credit Card Processing

4 ATM Sales

4 Point of Sale Solutions

4 ATM Service

4 Free Statement Analysis

4 Transaction Processing

4 Cash Discount Programs

4 Flexible ATM Deployment

4 Mobile Processing

4 ATM Supplies

4 E-Commerce

4 Compliance

Call us today 800.423.3343 www.edgeone.com 12

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

www.tlw.org

LEGISLATIVE NOTES OUR INDUSTRY NEEDS THE RESTAURANTS ACT TO PASS BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

to establishments of annual revenues less than $1.5 million. The grant program would be run by the U.S. Treasury, and funds would cover costs such as payroll, rent, supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE). The legislation is drafted to include independent bar and restaurant owners that are not publicly traded, or part of a chain with 20 or more locations doing business under the same name.

he COVID-19 pandemic changed our lives earlier this year and it could be some time before we get back to a normal lifestyle. The health and safety of everyone continues to be our top priority as we get closer to the distribution of a vaccine. The hospitality industry was especially hard hit, not just in Wisconsin, but across the entire country. According to the Brookings Institute, as of August, average daily revenue was down 47.5% in the leisure and hospitality industry, as compared to 2019. Estimates are that over 420,000 small businesses have failed since the start of the pandemic.

The TLW will continue to fight for our members at the local, state and federal levels to help them through these difficult times. Contact your senators today! Please email or call Sens. Ron Johnson and Tammy Baldwin to urge them to support the RESTAURANTS bill. Learn more about the bill at abcnews.go.com/GMA/Food/ restaurants-bars-now-included-trillion-federal-aid-proposal/ story?id=73310022. TLW

Every day the hospitality industry is shut down, the U.S. economy loses 16,872 jobs and $923,129,128 in earnings. In Wisconsin, there were 191,000 less people employed in September 2020 than in September 2019, a reduction of 6.4%. There were 16.9 million leisure/hospitality workers in February, which dropped to 8.5 million in April and climbed back to only 13 million, a 17% decline since last year. Small independent tavern, restaurant and supper club owners did not benefit directly from the PPP, and are still waiting for assistance to help them get back on their feet. The hospitality industry did not cause this pandemic, but it hit us especially hard, and the lack of assistance at the federal, state and local levels is extremely disheartening. It didn’t take Congress long to provide $25 billion to the hard-hit airline industry; why can’t it help the small independent businesses in the hospitality industry? The Tavern League is lobbying our federal delegation to pass the Real Economic Support that Acknowledges Unique Restaurant Assistance Needed to Survive (RESTAURANTS) Act, which would establish a $120 billion grant program for independently owned restaurants and bars with priority given www.tlw.org

HOW TO CONTACT SENATORS JOHNSON AND BALDWIN Sen. Ron Johnson (202) 224-5323 ronjohnson.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/email-the-senator 328 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Sen. Tammy Baldwin (202) 224-5653 baldwin.senate.gov/feedback 709 Hart Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

VIRTUAL CONNECTIONS Make tlw.org your go-to destination for everything Tavern League. BY JENNIFER BRADLEY

oday, having a web presence is critical for businesses and organizations. Not only does a web presence prove you exist, but it’s also a cost-effective, low-effort way to share information with your customers or members. That’s why the TLW continues to invest time and effort into improving its website, tlw.org.

“As the Tavern League evolves, we’re putting more and more information on our website as a vehicle to inform our members of what’s going on,” says TLW Executive Director Pete Madland. “The days of just email and phone calls are fading away, and the use of a website is more convenient and more accessible to everybody.” The Tavern League launched its redesigned website in fall 2018, says Becca Williams, TLW events coordinator and website administrator. “We get a lot of calls for information, so we designed the new website to answer people’s questions

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

if it is after hours or the weekend, and we’re not in the office … so if you have a question, it’s probably been asked, and we probably have the answer on the website. It is a really great tool.” While members (and the public) are encouraged to visit the Tavern League’s website on a recurring basis and to spend some time getting to know what’s available there, here’s a primer on how to find resources efficiently on the website, section by section, in both the public-facing site and the members-only section of the site. www.tlw.org

FOR THE PUBLIC, NO LOGIN REQUIRED While there is a Member Login button in the top right corner of the Tavern League’s homepage (both on desktop and mobile devices), members and the public can find plenty of useful information before they even log in. Find a Member One of the best publicly available features, says Williams, is the Find a Member section, which is just left of the Member Login button when viewing the website on a desktop computer; on a mobile device, it is the first item under the hamburger menu (the three horizontal lines in the upper right corner). This page features a member search as well as the ability to search establishments by city or county. The page also includes an interactive map of Wisconsin; just click on the county you’re interested in to pull up the selected county’s league leaders, the county’s meeting dates and times, and local membership dues. There is an additional text link that can generate a list of all of the member bars in the selected county. This list doesn’t include the names of owners, but for the public, it does indicate which bars are SafeRide providers. “We get a lot of calls to the office to ask whom to contact, so we made this a feature of the website that anyone could access without logging in,” says Williams. “It’s a really fast way to find out whom you need to contact in your area if you’re a member or want to become one. And for the public, noting which members are SafeRide providers is just another way to add value.” About The About page is chock-full of great information on the Tavern League, including its goals, code of ethics and successes. The lefthand side of the page includes quick links to additional information, including the league history, lists of state board members and district directors, and a cross-link to the Membership page. “The About page is where you can see your board and who represents your area,” says Williams. “If you have a major issue, question or concern, and you’re not able to get ahold of local league leaders, you can contact your district directors and vice presidents … all that information is here.” Membership The Tavern League offers a number of membership opportunities and this page is a one-stop shop for relevant membership information. It includes a recruitment video that some local leagues find valuable in their recruiting efforts. The page has a button that goes directly to the new membership application so new members can quickly apply. (A print application is also available for download.) A little-known part of the Membership page is the Testimonials section. These are nice reviews of the organization, says Williams, that league leaders can use for recruiting or members can share with the public to showcase the Tavern League. If you want to share your positive Tavern League experience with the world, Williams is always happy to receive member testimonials. www.tlw.org

“Our hope is to bring federal and state government to you through our website. There is so much important information available to our members and it is just a click away. This is the best way to stay involved and informed.”

—Scott Stenger, Tavern League “I will happily take member testimonials,” she says. “I would love to get more.” Government Affairs In this section, members and the public alike can find information on the issues Tavern League is currently engaged in. During election seasons, the league also lists its endorsements here. A wonderful feature of this section is found directly at the top of each page: an easy-to-use legislative contact tool with three key features. First, it allows you to quickly send an email to your legislative leaders on the league’s most current issue. Second, you can sign up here to receive notifications on future action alerts by email. And third, the tool has a search function to help you identify your state and nationally elected officials, and then send them a message. “Our hope is to bring federal and state government to you through our website,” says Tavern League Lobbyist Scott Stenger. “There is so much important information available to our members and it is just a click away. This is the best way to stay involved and informed.” Education For members looking for educational opportunities for themselves and their staff, the Education page is one to bookmark. “It is a really good page for a lot of stuff that members want and are looking for, like bartending and food safety classes,” says Williams. Simply click through each option on the page to be taken to registration information. Events Want to know when the 2024 fall convention is going to be held? Check out the Events section. The left-hand menu on this page includes quick links to pages featuring all of the Tavern League’s major annual events. To see all events, including local league happenings, check out the Calendar of Events link. Williams reminds local league leaders to send their county and district events to the office for inclusion on the calendar. SafeRide This is a great page providing patrons and the public with information on SafeRide. It includes the league’s SafeRide video, as well as a map of Wisconsin highlighting local leagues with SafeRide Programs. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

A number of affiliate and corporate members offer exclusive promotions and discounts to TLW members. Go to the Members Exclusive Benefit Program page to view all of their offers. GRAB A “COCKTAIL” AND LOG IN TO THE MEMBERS-ONLY SECTION A “good amount” of members know there is a member login section of the website, says Williams, but they don’t understand what’s there or the benefit of logging in. “This is the best resource for all members,” adds Williams. For starters, you don’t need to set or sign up for a login to the members-only section of the site, because there is just one login for all members; the username is “tlwmember” and the password is “cocktail.” Once logged in, the left menu features a list of all of the information and resources available. Following are some highlights. County Membership Lists Unlike the information available through the Find a Member section of the public-facing website, the County Membership Lists page offers more detailed information about local league members, such as member names, identification numbers, contact information, join dates and more. This information is particularly helpful for league leaders to support their recruitment and renewal activities. And because the website updates with the Tavern League’s database every five minutes, the information is always current. The League Directory menu item features a list of all league leaders, but it is a static list that is updated monthly. Affiliate Members Looking for a new point-of-sale (POS) system or need a lawyer? The Tavern League encourages members to first look to affiliate members as preferred partners. The Affiliate Members page lists all current, active affiliate members, both alphabetically and by category. If an affiliate member has a website, the member’s name is highlighted in red and hyperlinked; just click the name to view the associated website to learn more.

Members Exclusive Benefit Program As mentioned previously, a number of affiliate members, as well as corporate members, offer exclusive promotions and discounts to Tavern League members. This page lists all of the members offering member exclusive benefits; some are listed on the page, but for most, a flyer with information about the benefit is linked under the company’s name. “Whenever you’re looking for a new vendor or service, check out this page as there might be something new,” says Williams. Media & Publications Missed an issue of On Premise? Want to look back to the December 2018 TLW newsletter? Find it on this page, which includes monthly newsletters going back to 2017 and issues of On Premise dating back to 2015. “They are always there, always available and updated every month,” says Williams. Materials for Members: Forms & Documents, Signage and Logos These three sections of the members-only portion of the website include a variety of assets Tavern League members may find useful. For instance, the Forms & Documents section includes a new employee hire packet that can be customized to your business, a number of legal forms, the current I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification form and more. “This is a good place to check for random information and other hard-to-find business-related stuff you may need,” says Williams. The Signage tab includes Tavern League-branded signs that members can download and print to use in their establishments, including but not limited to no smoking and no vaping signs, SafeRide posters in English and Spanish, concealed weapons signage and more. It also includes more recent additions related to the coronavirus pandemic, such as signs to remind patrons of social distancing, not entering if sick and the like. If you prefer to have the Tavern League print the signs, click the TLW Store link at the top of the Signage page to be taken to a shopping page where you can choose the signs you’d like to have printed (for free!) by the Tavern League. Need a TLW logo? Download it directly from the Logos page.

FEEDBACK WELCOME “We recommend anyone who is an affiliate member,” says Williams. “These are the companies we’d love for members to do business with because of their strong support of the Tavern League.” In addition, those affiliate members offering benefits to members have a Members Exclusive Benefit Program link, which takes users to a separate page with a full list of companies offering member benefits.

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

The Tavern League website, says Madland, is an excellent resource for members, league leaders and the public on everything Tavern League. But he also notes that the website is constantly evolving, and that members are invited to call the office with questions or ideas for improving the website. “We are always trying to make it more user-friendly,” he says. “Websites are always a work in progress, and if you have ideas, we will consider them.” TLW www.tlw.org

ACCOUNTING ON TAP KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS FOR BARS AND RESTAURANTS BY DAN BERGS, CPA

t has been difficult to be a bar or restaurant owner in 2020. There have been many challenging situations to navigate this year. A couple of key items to consider as a current business owner in the industry is really knowing your business from a financial perspective and getting creative to increase cash flow. You may wonder what some important financial metrics that a business owner should know are and how business owners can increase cash flow. Important Financial Metrics 1. Gross profit margin = sales – cost of goods sold • If you find that you do not have enough sales to meet your expenses, you may need to raise your prices to increase your gross profit margin and try to push sales of more profitable products. 2. W orking capital = current assets – current liabilities • Current assets for bars and restaurants typically consist of cash plus inventory. Current liabilities are accounts payable. This metric is important for business owners to know if they have enough available to cover their shortterm debts.

3. W ages as a percentage of sale = wages / sales • A bar should try to maintain a ratio of about 20 to 25%. A restaurant should try to maintain a ratio of not more than 30%.

Ways to Increase Cash Flow • Raise prices. This one is obviously easier said than done, but the quickest way to increase sales is by raising prices if you need more sales to meet your expenses.

your best to put safety protocols in place, and share pictures or videos on social media to show customers the precautions you are taking. This can help increase customers’ comfort level with coming and supporting your business. • Follow guidelines. Guidelines are constantly changing and really challenging for bars and restaurants. But following guidelines is essential in order to stay open and help customers feel safe at your establishment. One of the biggest threats you can face now is being forced to close. • Reduce cash outflow. Talk with your landlord about a temporary rent reduction, look at expenses that may not be necessary and consider reducing inventory levels for products that don’t sell frequently. • Sell apparel. It may be worth looking into selling apparel to help bring in some cash flow while pushing advertising for your business. • Take advantage of government programs. Follow the Tavern League and other organizations that produce helpful information, and take advantage of programs that can help your business during these challenging times. As an entrepreneur, there are times when you need to pivot and change your business model. Know your business’ key numbers and get creative in producing cash flow to keep your company profitable. TLW Dan Bergs, CPA, is a supervisor in the Tax and Business Services Department with Wegner CPAs LLP. Wegner CPAs LLP has offices in Madison, Baraboo, Waukesha and Janesville. This article is not intended to give complete tax advice, but a general review of the subject matter. You can contact Bergs at (608) 442-1986 or dan.bergs@wegnercpas.com.

•T ake advantage of low-cost advertising. Using social media is oftentimes free advertising and a great way to reach out to a lot of potential customers. •O ffer carryout. If you serve food, then try to push carryout orders. You can save on service fees paid to food delivery companies and it can help increase your sales. •F ocus on customer satisfaction and safety. There are likely a lot of customers that need certain thresholds met for them to feel comfortable coming to your business right now. Do www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

SAFERIDE: A LOOK BACK Wisconsin becomes a leader in the movement to help customers find their way home safely. BY JENNIFER BRADLEY

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020 2018

www.tlw.org

or more than 35 years, the TLW has supported an initiative to eliminate drunk driving on state roadways. SafeRide offers patrons a ride home when they feel they may have had too much to drink. The program has become widely successful and a model for the rest of the country. Since 2007, SafeRide has directly contributed to a 50% decline in the number of alcohol-related fatalities and a 44% reduction in operating while intoxicated (OWI) convictions in Wisconsin. While the program now operates in 64 Wisconsin counties, its beginnings were a bit more humble and started with the foresight of just three people from the La Crosse City/County Tavern League — Dorothy Horschak, Dave Berjen and Jim Pickett. According to Mike Brown, current president of the La Crosse City/County Tavern League, “It began very slowly at first, but then expanded statewide. We really pushed being safe and getting a ride home, and decided to worry about the details later. That’s when the league really stepped up the program.” At the time (in the early 1980s), Brown says the La Crosse area was struggling with several challenges. “OWIs were really a problem,” he explains. In addition, the area had a reputation for being a rowdy college town. Then there were a rash of drownings that occurred in the Mississippi River, which was in close proximity to La Crosse’s downtown district. The state was pushing for lower blood alchohol concentrations, according to Brown, who says that SafeRide was created in order to address some of these issues, as well as to help achieve goals for reducing the number of drivers operating under the influence. Brown says the league initially contracted with a transportation company to provide the rides and had stricter regulation than it does today about how far the drivers would take a patron. (Today, local chapters make all of the decisions on the program, including days and hours of operation, areas of coverage, costs of rides, etc.) Brown says the organization faced resistance from the beginning, as some didn’t understand how the program would help reduce some of the issues and actually argued it would do the opposite by encouraging drinking. Brown says the Tavern League even received requests to share the names of those who received rides, which it refused. Today, those worries have been put to rest, and Brown says the naysayers now understand that it’s more about safety and prevention than anything else. “We work together; the city and the county also help us with funding since we showed them the results on the reduction of OWIs,” Brown explains. “It’s been really something special in La Crosse to see the number of rides — almost 10,000 in one year.”

www.tlw.org

IT TAKES A VILLAGE Brown says that, since those first rides in 1983, the community has rallied for the SafeRide Program in La Crosse. The TLW has teamed up with local police to produce television and radio ads, in addition to other marketing efforts. Even the local health department has joined in, specifically referencing SafeRide in its advertising. (In return, the league’s messaging includes information on “the consequences of making wrong choices.”) Brown says the cross promotion by multiple agencies and organizations amplifies the messaging. As a TLW member and business owner, Brown says the priority is always the safety of the customers and those out on the road, including family and friends. “We’re in this for the long haul, not to just make a quick buck,” he says. “It’s been a tremendous success working with all our partners. We’re not just passing laws that make someone feel good, we’re taking care of the situation the way it should be.”

FUNDING Not long after La Crosse launched its program, Dane and Marathon counties followed suit, which drew the attention of the state association. Pete Madland, executive director of the Tavern League, says the association soon recognized the good results from the first three independent county programs and decided to make it a statewide initiative, which has 64 active programs today. Then in 1999, the TLW worked with lawmakers to craft legislation to provide state funding for the initiative, which was signed by then Gov. Tommy Thompson. The money could only be used for alternative transportation from Class B licensees to a customer’s home. Wisconsin Act 109 established the surcharge for every OWI conviction in the state. Madland says it began as a 50/50 split, with half of the SafeRide expenses being paid for by these surcharges and the rest by TLW members. The cost of the program last year was nearly $1 million. State funding has incrementally increased over the years as the surcharge for each OWI increased from $5 in 2000 when the act took effect until today at $77 per conviction. This covers about 80% of the program costs, while the other 20% continues to be covered by TLW members. League chapters still take on large fundraising campaigns to support their portion of the program costs.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

“We’ve seen really good indications in the numbers that what we’re doing is working and having a very, very positive impact on the drunk-driving problem,” Madland adds.

MEMBER BUY-IN “If the TLW members would have sat on their hands and said, ‘Let somebody else do it,’ the program would have never taken off,” says Madland. When the funding became available, the TLW membership got on board immediately and made the program happen in many counties. “They’re all volunteers, too, which makes this really special,” he adds. “They are busy people, all running businesses in addition to these volunteer hours.” As the program evolved, the local leagues took on more tasks. As is typical in many organizations, the work was often left to the same people each year, says Madland. Eventually, to help ease that burden, each county with an active SafeRide Program appointed its own coordinator to oversee its management. Having SafeRide coordinators has been a big help. Each month, county league reports are filed and compiled to track the number of rides and the costs of those rides. Then the TLW Foundation manages all of the funds, invoicing the Department of Transportation and reimbursing the county leagues. Any extra goes back in to replenish the foundation.

CABS, COMPANIES AND CONCERTS In La Crosse, a unique opportunity arose in 2019 to showcase the SafeRide Program’s great work during a music festival in West Salem. Brown says the sheriff’s department reached out to the county Tavern League to gauge its interest in sponsoring buses to take people to and from the event. “It was the first time something like this has been done and it was tens of thousands of people,” says Brown. “Not one person drove way.”

“LOCAL CHAPTERS MAKE ALL OF THE DECISIONS ON THE PROGRAM, INCLUDING DAYS AND HOURS OF OPERATION, AREAS OF COVERAGE, COSTS OF RIDES, ETC.” — Mike Brown, La Crosse City/County Tavern League

While the TLW was not able to make a SafeRide Program with Uber work for various reasons, Madland says Lyft is being used by several counties with success. Lyft is not as widely used, but is becoming more popular each year. Brown says the La Crosse program was worried a few years ago when these two new transportation companies came onto the scene, but it was unnecessary. The county league went into the taxi business to make sure it had enough vehicles available when needed to get people home safely. The company started with three cabs, and it grew so much that Brown and another bar owner actually bought it from the SafeRide Program because it was too much for the organization to run. They call it the Coulee Region Taxi. “This way, we can put out the number of cabs we feel we need each night and we personally have the ability to add extras if we need them,” he says. “We have 10 cabs now and our sole goal, we promised the SafeRide Program when we bought the company, is to have the vehicles available for league members.”

Eric Christensen, owner of Christy’s Landing in Madison, participates in the Tavern League’s SafeRide Program.

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

www.tlw.org

SPECIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP PLATINUM CLUB MEMBERS 5TH DISTRICT TAVERN LEAGUE OSHKOSH CITY/WINNEBAGO COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE OUTAGAMIE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE In 2015, the La Crosse City/County Tavern League started its own taxi company to ensure resources would be available for its program. The company quickly grew and, in 2017, it was purchased by two league members who continue to provide transportation for SafeRide.

PORTAGE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

GOLD CLUB MEMBERS 7TH DISTRICT TAVERN LEAGUE

In addition to these unique ways of serving the community through SafeRide, Madland reminds members, “Anyone can give a ride home — a bartender, another customer, anyone as long as they’re over 18, sober and have their own car with insurance. If you’re with friends and you’re sober, you can give a ride home and get reimbursed.”

TODAY AND TOMORROW

CALUMET COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE DOOR COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE MANITOWOC COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE OCONTO COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

Today, with more than 60 local leagues involved, the program is providing nearly 100,000 rides a year.

PLATINUM $1,000 Annual Membership Level

The future is bright and, even with the COVID-19 challenges everyone faced in 2020, Madland says he’s seeing more people become aware of the SafeRide Program, both customers and members. The missing link, however, is the bartenders. Some don’t know about it and that’s “where the system breaks down.” He says it’s important owners pass along this information to all employees.

SILVER $250 Annual Membership Level

GOLD $500 Annual Membership Level For more information on becoming a Special Club Member, call the TLW office at (800) 445-9221.

The volunteers are the heart of the SafeRide Program, and Brown says that it’s important to appreciate the work members and others are doing to make this a success. “There’s a lot of people behind the scenes that make this work,” he says. “I’m a believer and am excited for the success we’ve seen throughout the years.” Madland and Brown would love to see all counties participating in the SafeRide Program in some way, and want members, both new and established, to remember that it takes time. It’s easy to participate. Any chapter just needs to send a description of how the proposed program is going to function, along with a request for funds to the TLW office in Madison. Typical start-up grants are in the amount of $5,000. “It takes time to build a program, and get people to understand how it works and then trust it,” Madland says. “Don’t expect immediate, great results. They will come. Be patient and keep working at it.” TLW

262.336.9624 wimilkcaps.com www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

SAFERIDE: A NATIONWIDE MODEL

THIS INNOVATIVE PROGRAM HAS BEEN OFFERING SAFE RIDES HOME FOR OVER THREE DECADES.

he TLW’s SafeRide Program is celebrating another successful year. In 2019-2020, our members provided almost 90,000 SafeRides to customers throughout Wisconsin. We want to thank all of our SafeRide coordinators for their efforts ensuring the program is run properly and efficiently. We also want to thank the 1,500 member establishments that participate in the program, allowing their customers who feel impaired to get home safely. We encourage all members to consider offering SafeRide to their customers where the program is available. Thanks to all participants for helping make Wisconsin roads safer for everyone.

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

www.tlw.org

TLW SAFERIDE SURVEY 2019-2020 LEAGUE/GROUP

NO. OF RIDERS

COST OF RIDES

AVERAGE COST

Adams Ashland/Bayfield Brown Chippewa Clark Columbia Crawford Dells/Delton Area Dodge Door Eau Claire Fond Du Lac Grant/Iowa Greater Northwoods Green Lake Area Jefferson Kenosha City Kenosha County La Crosse Lakeland Langlade Lincoln Madison/Dane Manitowoc Marathon Marinette Marquette Milwaukee Monroe Oconto Oneida Oshkosh/Winnebago Outagamie Ozaukee Pepin Pierce Portage Price Racine City Racine County Sauk Sawyer Shawano Sheboygan South Central St. Croix Superior/Douglas Taylor Trempealeau/Buffalo Vilas Walworth Washburn Washington County Waukesha Waupaca County Waushara Wood

407 445 4,235 4,772 48 3,406 159 681 1,064 759 1,148 150 1,826 439 70 648 161 397 5,463 49 84 1,074 1,731 3,424 1,266 1,497 522 428 1,034 40 3,862 8,143 936 95 141 169 965 28 1,285 165 12,450 780 111 449 256 292 352 25 23 320 15 187 117 5 495 314 597

$2,238 $7,329 $52,035 $26,399 $330 $18,697 $1,958 $4,315 $3,268 $6,949 $11,301 $950 $16,975 $4,206 $1,060 $2,598 $1,598 $10,182 $63,301 $739 $1,680 $16,110 $28,128 $29,190 $14,316 $7,608 $9,360 $6,414 $7,699 $1,000 $21,010 $69,247 $9,537 $1,440 $1,130 $1,408 $8,837 $318 $30,840 $2,744 $14,049 $6,340 $1,806 $2,788 $957 $3,096 $3,563 $670 $350 $3,014 $287 $2,155 $2,224 $90 $6,238 $6,420 $1,934

$5.50 $16.47 $12.29 $5.53 $6.88 $5.49 $12.31 $6.34 $3.07 $9.16 $9.84 $6.33 $9.30 $9.58 $15.14 $4.01 $9.93 $25.65 $11.59 $15.08 $20.00 $15.00 $16.25 $8.53 $11.31 $5.08 $17.93 $14.99 $7.45 $25.00 $5.44 $8.50 $10.19 $15.16 $8.01 $8.33 $9.16 $11.36 $24.00 $16.63 $1.13 $8.13 $16.27 $6.21 $3.74 $10.60 $10.12 $26.80 $15.22 $9.42 $19.13 $11.52 $19.00 $18.00 $12.60 $20.45 $3.24

Totals

70,004

$560,423

$8.01

www.tlw.org

PARTICIPATION

% OF MEMBERSHIP

12 71 52 12 50 40 10 12 23 5 29 5 41 25 4 15 25 20 152 15 6 40 50 58 28 15 18 86 31 15 20 52 31 5 20 5 49 11 74 28 9 5 15 63 10 22 13 6 31 7 12 14 10 2 15 15 28

26% 100% 30% 12% 100% 95% 26% 25% 28% 8% 46% 15% 25% 61% 12% 18% 26% 27% 96% 47% 12% 75% 26% 45% 29% 21% 40% 45% 57% 21% 32% 63% 19% 10% 95% 9% 47% 20% 91% 55% 15% 12% 3% 98% 29% 31% 21% 19% 34% 13% 12% 33% 15% 2% 18% 33% 46%

1,537

32%

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

LEAGUE PROFILE JEFFERSON COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE meeting to see what goes on. They also use the video available on the Tavern League website as a recruitment tool.

ongevity, strong support and a touch of innovation have kept the Jefferson County Tavern League going strong since 1939.

Despite coronavirus, the Jefferson County Tavern League has kept up with a number of its fundraising events this year. For instance, it’s running its Tour de County poker run-style event through November. Members sign up in the spring by purchasing an ad in the booklet. Participants then get a sticker from each bar they visit, April through November, and prizes are paid out according to how complete each booklet is. “You only need one stamp to be in the drawing and we give you lots of time so you don’t have to race around,” says Frommgen.

“We’ve got a pretty strong league,” says Erick Frommgen, president of the Jefferson County Tavern League. Frommgen owns the Concord Inn in Sullivan with his wife, Lori, who is the vice president of the Central District.

Tour de County culminates with a November party, which Frommgen plans to hold. Proceeds from the poker run benefit the league, and proceeds from the party are split between the league and its charitable foundation.

With 87 members, the Jefferson County Tavern League offers a number of incentives to keep members involved and engaged. The first Monday of each month, the meeting includes a threehour open bar (then a cash bar) and late lunch for $10; the host bar keeps the money received at the door and the league provides $100 toward the meal.

The league also held its Casino Day in October; it was a low turnout, says Frommgen, but a good fundraiser for the foundation nonetheless.

As an incentive, all members who attend the monthly meeting are entered into a year-end drawing for a free membership with the winner being named in December. The league also runs an attendance drawing; 87 ping-pong balls, one for each member, are tossed in a bucket and a winner is drawn. If that member is at the meeting, he or she gets the money in the pot. If the member is not present, $10 is added to the pot until someone wins.

For Casino Day, the league hires a service to deal blackjack; there’s also poker, a roulette wheel and a craps table. Tickets are $30, and include appetizers and a cash bar, and participants play with “funny money” throughout the day. The first-place winner gets $300 and a free stay at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, but they have to pay for airfare. A member of the Tavern League for over 35 years, Frommgen says that being a member keeps him informed on issues that can directly affect business. “I feel that, if we weren’t as strong as we are, we would be regulated right out of business,” says Frommgen. “Our customers in Jefferson County enjoy the smaller, nonfranchise bars and restaurants.” TLW

Because the group is large, the Jefferson County Tavern League also allows representatives to attend meetings for members’ respective bars. “The owner just has to sign a rep form, and then the representatives can vote and make motions,” says Frommgen. “For a lot of our meetings, it’s those individuals who are representing members, and it’s our hope they go back and share what they’ve learned, but it helps with attendance and getting the word out.” Member recruitment, says Frommgen, “is always on the front burner for us.” The membership committee does mailings, reaches out to contacts and invites owners to come to a

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

www.tlw.org

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT LINDA’S LOOKOUT

inda’s Lookout, located at the intersection of county highways A and N in Grellton, a few miles southwest of Watertown, is “where friends meet friends.” “People are attracted to Linda’s Lookout for the friendly and welcoming staff,” says owner Linda Funk. “While every bar has its regulars, I have the best ones because they are always welcoming to new arrivals and make them feel right at home. I have always said ‘it’s where friends meet friends.’ If they were not friends before, they become friends … they become part of our family.” A rustic and casual bar and grill, Linda’s Lookout is located atop a hill overlooking a widening of the Rock River, known as Hahns Lake. The establishment offers a relaxed country atmosphere, and is only minutes from Lake Mills, Johnson Creek, Jefferson and Watertown in Jefferson County. The back side of the building features a large deck for customers to sit and enjoy the country view; inside, floor-toceiling windows offer the same view as the deck. There is also a bar and tables for customers to enjoy their food and drink, along with a pool table and other games for customers. Funk’s parents, Don and Gladys Schroeder, bought into the bar business in 1974 after being in the farming industry. “It was a little hole-in-the-wall bar they called Dun-In,” says Funk. In 1979, the Schroeders built a new building across the road from Dun-In, but a fire destroyed most of the building in 1989. Rebuilt mostly by family and friends, the couple then named the new establishment Don’s Country Inn and gave it more of a supper club atmosphere. In 1995, Funk bought the bar from her parents and renamed it Linda’s Lookout. “I have been in business for 25 years as of November 2020,” says Funk. “Linda’s Lookout has been a Tavern League member for the 25 years it has existed. I have served on the Jefferson County Tavern League board since the beginning when I joined in 1995.” Funk’s parents were also longtime Tavern League members. This country bar offers a variety of sandwiches, appetizers and homemade pizzas, along with the ever-popular Friday fish fry. The burgers are hand-pattied and the chicken breasts are charcoal broiled. The Friday menu includes walleye, bluegill and Cajun broiled catfish, along with the regular baked or deep-fried cod, as well as a fish and chicken platter, a variety of shrimp dinners and combo dinners. The homemade coleslaw and American potato salad have been staples since the beginning. Linda’s Lookout is

www.tlw.org

For 25 years, Linda Funk has owned and operated Linda’s Lookout in Jefferson County.

currently open Wednesday through Friday, as well as Sundays. Saturdays are left available for private parties and special occasions. Through the years, Linda’s Lookout has hosted many fundraising events. One of Funk’s dearest fundraisers has been for Jefferson County’s Rainbow Hospice Care. “I believe Rainbow Hospice has touched so many lives that this is our way of giving and helping others. The people in our small area give from their hearts and support this event,” which is usually slated for a Packers game day. Funk has also created the Danny’s Wish fundraiser after the loss of her son. With this event, Funk supports a family or families to help during the Christmas season. “Mostly, we provide for the children of a less fortunate family,” says Funk. “This was something my son started doing before he left this world and it helped him through a very difficult time in his life. His joy was helping someone in need, so we carry it on in his remembrance.” Funk and her family also fundraise for the local Grellton Conservation Club Scholarship Fund; her father played a key role in creating this club, as well as the scholarship program, which the fundraiser supports. Funk appreciates that her family has been able to contribute to Jefferson County’s tavern industry for nearly five decades. “Over 46 years together with my parents in the family bar business gives me a great sense of accomplishment and joy for all those we have served, helped, and provided a fun and enjoyable experience,” says Funk. “With love for people, and the importance of family and friends, I have been truly blessed!” TLW LINDA’S LOOKOUT

N8004 Highway A, Watertown, WI 53094 (920) 699-2137 facebook.com/LindasLookout

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT RAINBOW HOSPICE CARE “Our donations are circulated right back into our services,” says Miller. “Anyone who donates has a say in how they would like to see those funds utilized.” Miller’s favorite fund is the “In Kindness Fund,” which helps supply basic living necessities and services to those being served by RHC.

One of the few remaining nonprofit hospice options, Rainbow Hospice Care relies on the generosity of organizations including the Jefferson County Tavern League.

ver the last 30 years, Jefferson County has become an “island of excellence” for end-of-life care thanks to Rainbow Hospice Care (RHC). This community-based nonprofit organization provides a full spectrum of in-home and inpatient care services for terminally ill patients and their families living in Jefferson County, as well as parts of six surrounding counties in south central Wisconsin. “Our mission is to provide comfort, care and meaning throughout the end-of-life journey,” says Jessica Miller, administrative assistant for RHC. Headquartered in Jefferson with a state-of-the-art inpatient center in Johnson Creek, RHC was founded in 1990, and serves patients with any type of life-limiting illness and a life expectancy of six months or less. RHC provides palliative care to those in the community living with chronic and debilitating diseases and illnesses. Through mid-October, RHC served over 800 patients this year. “All patients and their loved ones are treated with respect, kindness and concern, while focusing on quality of life and dignity with care that is specifically tailored to each individual’s unique needs and wishes,” says Miller. What makes RHC unique is that it is one of the few remaining nonprofit hospices. She adds, “We are incredibly blessed to be part of such a giving community. Our inpatient center has remained a state-of-the-art facility thanks to the generosity of our neighboring communities.” As a nonprofit hospice provider, fundraisers and donations from businesses and organizations are critical to helping RHC fulfill its mission, including donations from Jefferson County Tavern League and its members. Since 2012, the league and its members, particularly Linda Funk, owner of Linda’s Lookout in Grellton, have raised nearly $35,000 for the organization. The Jefferson County Tavern League regularly supports RHC and Funk hosts a popular football tailgate party to support it as well.

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

“We have had one too many staff come back and report that, upon delivery of medical supplies, equipment and other hospicequalified items, there are times when the family home or the patient are without basic living necessities, such as toilet paper or linens, toothpaste or even soap,” says Miller. “These basic items are the very things that we take for granted and there are some families that are forced to go without. Unfortunately, Medicare and Medicaid don’t find these types of items hospice qualified. This is where our staff comes together and collaborates on how we might be able to really help make a difference for that patient or family during their final months.” RHC is always graciously accepting donations, but when it comes to need, more staff tops the organization’s list. “Hospice is very much a philosophy. It is a culture and it takes a certain individual to come into this line of work,” says Miller. “We are most definitely seeing an increase in patients needing our services.” RHC is always looking for motivated volunteers as well. “It is not only just here at RHC, but the idea of volunteerism as a whole. There is a shortage everywhere, so we encourage anyone and everyone, help your community if you can. You would be amazed at the ripple effect it has.” RHC is critical to Jefferson County, says Miller, because the patients and families it serves are “sometimes our very own family members, friends, neighbors, church members, local business partners … anyone else that makes up the community.” She also encourages people to get comfortable thinking about end of life. “Death and dying isn’t a taboo thing,” she says. “It’s OK to start thinking, talking and planning about what you want your final wishes to be.” TLW RAINBOW HOSPICE CARE

1225 Remmel Drive, Johnson Creek, WI 53094 (920) 674-6255 rainbowhospicecare.org

www.tlw.org

MEET THE EXECUTIVE OFFICER

LORI FROMMGEN In Meet the Executive Officer, On Premise typically introduces an executive officer who represents the league that is highlighted in the issue (in this case, the Jefferson County Tavern League). However, for the November/December issue, we introduce Central District Vice President Lori Frommgen. Many of you know Lori, but this column presents an opportunity for her to introduce herself.

Q. TELL US ABOUT YOUR BACKGROUND, INCLUDING YOUR FAMILY, LOCATION AND BUSINESS. My husband, Erick, and I own the Concord Inn in Concord, which is located halfway between Madison and Milwaukee off I-94. I began working for my brother and his partner, the previous owners of the Concord Inn, in 1984. Then I bought it from them in 1985 when they were getting out of the business. When I first started for them, I had never bartended in my life and now, here I am 36 years later, still mixing drinks. Erick and I have been married since 1988. We have four children (two girls and two boys) and three granddaughters. Our oldest daughter works full time for us. Our oldest son also helps out occasionally when he’s not working his “real job.” My husband is a supervisor on the town board of Concord, which is unincorporated. The Concord Inn is open seven days a week at 11 a.m. and serves food open to close. The kitchen setup is behind the bar, so whoever bartends is also the cook. We are a small establishment with 14 stools around the bar and seating for 20 in the back.

Q. WHAT INTERESTED YOU IN BECOMING A TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBER? Harold Loppnow, who used to own Loppy’s Bar in Ixonia, had always been a member and had even been on the state board at one time. He told me that if I were going to be in this business, I had to join the Tavern League. I said yeah, unsure of what the Tavern League was at the time, and left it at that. The next time he came into the bar, he again asked if I had joined. Of course, I had not yet. He urged me to join once more, so I did!

Q. HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBER AND WHAT OFFICES HAVE YOU HELD? I have been a TLW member since 1985. I’ve been the treasurer on our local Jefferson County Tavern League board www.tlw.org

and a director on the state board. I’m currently the Central District Vice President.

Q. IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUES FACING TAVERN LEAGUE MEMBERS TODAY? Obviously, the most important issue facing members today is COVID-19, and whether or not our members can ride this pandemic out and survive. My heart especially goes out to Madison and Milwaukee members during this pandemic since they’ve had a lot stricter rules to follow.

Q. YOU REPRESENT DISTRICTS 2 AND 5. ARE THERE SPECIFIC ISSUES UNIQUE TO THESE AREAS? I think the most unique issue to the areas I cover is their proximity to Madison. It seems like, if something happens in Madison, then it trickles throughout the rest of the state within the next few years.

Q. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT BEING IN A LEADERSHIP POSITION WITH THE TLW? The thing I enjoy most about being a part of TLW leadership is acting as a voice for our members. If it wasn’t for our members, there would be no TLW. I also enjoy meeting our people. One time, I was at a convention and one of my local county members asked me, “How do you know so many of these people?” I said, “Because I go and talk to people even if I don’t know them. If you just sit here with our group, you won’t meet any new people. And TLW members are awesome!”

Q. HOW ELSE ARE YOU INVOLVED IN YOUR COMMUNITY? Our community is very small, but my husband and I belong to our local snowmobile club. We are also trying to get four-wheel trails in our area as we are getting less and less snow. TLW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

FEATURED AFFILIATES ROCKETDSD

FIRST CHOICE MERCHANT SERVICES

Based in Sister Bay, a village in Door County, RocketDSD has made a national name for itself since 2002, growing from an ice cream distributor to a nationwide distributor of snack and frozen foods. When the Marriott Corporation approached founder and CEO Stephen Sauter to help fill its hotel guest pantries, the business expanded and a niche was found that has been very successful, he says.

Deb Hoeft-Christopherson says that First Choice Merchant Services is fair, provides rates unheard of by other processing companies and values its relationships with customers more than even making money.

Because of all of the Tavern League members in Door County, Sauter was able to connect with bar owners who were having difficulty finding distributors that carried RocketDSD preferred snacks and in smaller quantities. The fit was natural and Sauter’s team, managed by Bruce Bass, became a proud affiliate member of the TLW. The website, rocketdsd.com, is open to anyone who wants to choose from thousands of products, ranging from chips and candy to frozen pizzas and coffees. Products are shipped directly to your location from Wisconsin and, for most people, arrive the next day. A bonus is that the cases can be mixed and matched. Sauter says a small establishment may not want 64 bags of one kind of chips, so RocketDSD allows customers to mix and match. “We care about making the things you want and maybe have become difficult to find in sensible quantities,” he adds. Jack’s Pizzas are big sellers, as are the specialty chips, candies and ice cream treats. Sauter says that RocketDSD is a great service for those in the north who can’t get the larger route trucks up there in the off season, but still want to have snacks and treats on hand in their establishments. RocketDSD has been an affiliate member for about three years and has enjoyed meeting members throughout Wisconsin. Bass encourages members to let him know if there is something they’d like to purchase, but cannot find on the site. “We’re willing to look into finding it and sourcing it for you,” he adds. The duo says that individuals can buy from the website, but businesses can also set up an account with a 1099 form to be able to sell without collecting sales tax. “We felt this was an organization we should belong to and support,” Sauter concludes. “We are proud to be a member of the Tavern League family and an organization that advocates for our industry.”

She started as a contractor for the company in 2016, but brings many additional years of merchant services experience to the role. According to Christopherson, First Choice is a full-service company, providing terminals and other equipment, as well as short-term loans, card processing, ATM machines and more. The first questions she asks all potential clients are: “Do you know your merchant service person? When’s the last time you spoke with them? Are they available to you?” Customer service is of the utmost importance to Christopherson, who adds that she sees firsthand the struggles small business owners have with credit card fees, and is happy to be able to save them thousands of dollars every month with a plan and manageable fee scales. “At the end of the day, when people are paying with credit cards and using reward cards, the people paying for that are the merchants,” she explains. “I’ve talked to so many local small businesses and they just can’t afford it.” One message she believes is important for TLW members to hear is the fees they are adding onto credit card transactions (on their own) is not always legitimate and that they need to be aware that there are proper ways of doing this without getting into trouble. She’s a new member of the TLW this year and says good friends who are tavern owners encouraged her to join as an affiliate. “I really respect what I see all these people doing, putting their heart and soul into their businesses,” Christopherson adds. “And when they call me, I answer the phone and it doesn’t matter what time of day or day of the week — I answer.” She says she understands that TLW members work every day of the week and that if she can help them fix a problem, she will. First Choice Merchant Services is based out of Minneapolis, but Christopherson works from Chippewa Falls. She says the industry knowledge in this small firm is incredible and the customer service matters tremendously. “We’re learning all the time, on the cutting edge, and we want to make sure we’re always doing the right thing for those we serve,” she says.

ROCKETDSD

P.O. Box 759, Ephraim, WI 54211 (866) 651-8729 | rocketdsd.com

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

FIRST CHOICE MERCHANT SERVICES

333 N. Washington Avenue, Suite 322, Minneapolis, MN 55401 (844) 822-3267 | firstchoicepartner.com www.tlw.org

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT & CIRCULATION

PURECART ENTERPRISES LLC Jeff Taylor, president of PureCart Enterprises LLC, says that, prior to COVID-19 hitting the world and Wisconsin, he invented and patented a machine for disinfecting shopping carts. “Honestly, it was just kind of sitting on the shelf and I wasn’t pursuing it much, but now the demand is there,” he says. This inventor says that two years ago he was also working on a small, portable unit using that same technology, which is now being sold to bars, restaurants, churches, schools, etc. Taylor says the MobileMist is made in Green Bay, as the company manufactures and sells the product directly from northeast Wisconsin. “We went through an update this summer, making the unit even smaller and lighter, and battery operated,” he explains. “When people talk about ‘When are we going to get back to normal?’ I don’t think that’s going to happen,” says Taylor. He says disinfecting public spaces is going to be the new expectation and what customers are going to demand. The MobileMist is a closed system, meaning that it is functional only with the proprietary PureChem chemicals sold by PureCart. They are non-toxic, non-leaching and child-safe, and able to be sprayed on both hard and soft surfaces. Taylor says he’s in the process of having the solution EPA registered, but it’s currently listed on the organization’s site as effective. PureChem goes on in spray form, dries quickly and is available as a ready-to-use solution with the MobileMist unit. The company is a new member of the TLW and Taylor believes that his small company of eight people is a perfect fit for the industry struggling to live in the new normal. He says that he is proud to be a local provider of this service, when so many competitors are overseas. He and his team meet locally with people who would like a demonstration, but also offer video chats for a short demo and time to discuss option/questions. He says clients are learning that “sanitizing” does not equal “disinfecting” and that if they are looking to kill a virus, disinfecting is what accomplishes that goal. “We have a product I think is going to become part of the core business for a lot of taverns, bars and restaurants moving forward,” he says. “They are going to want to not simply clean, but know they are disinfecting.” PURECART ENTERPRISES LLC

610 Baeten Road, Green Bay, WI 54304 (877) 200-5010 | purechemsystems.com

www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

NEW MEMBERS NEW TLW MEMBERS AS OF OCTOBER 20, 2020 DISTRICT 1

DISTRICT 2

Juneau County

Waupaca County

Kenosha City

Dodge County

Red Zone Sports Bar & Grill Duvall Coates Kenosha, WI

Scooby’s Sports Bar & Grill Michael Jatczak Theresa, WI

Hart’s Hooterhaus Eric Hart Hustler, WI

Copper Shot Bar & Grill Barbara Adams New London, WI

La Crosse City/ County

Vault Banquet Hall & Venue Michelle Parham Kenosha, WI

Jefferson County

Northland Sports Bar & Grill Eric Young Iola, WI

Vintage Fifty 2 Bottoms Up Ventures Inc. Kenosha, WI

The Corner Bar David Carlin Johnson Creek, WI

Kenosha County

Tipsy Goose Watertown, WI

1903 Saloon Timothy Cowart Trevor, WI

Madison/Dane County

Best Bargains Inc. Roman Tomal III New Munster, WI

Racine City 509 Social Lounge Billy Smith Racine, WI Butcher and Barrel Richard Onyon Racine, WI

Rock County Charlie’s Place Dennis Casey Janesville, WI Willowdale Tavern Rachel Severance Janesville, WI

Walworth County

Biggs Bar & Grill Karah Pugh Watertown, WI

Wolf River Lodge Barbara Adams Fremont, WI

Oshkosh/Winnebago County

Wood County

DISTRICT 5

DISTRICT 6

Green Lake Area

Brown County

NV Corners Rochelle Chadwick Sun Prairie, WI

Tigers Sports Bar & Grill Melissa Garrett Ripon, WI

Houterville Station Dan Vandenhouten Kewaunee, WI

Waukesha County

Marquette County

Fairways of Woodside Golf Course Robert McDonald Sussex, WI

Jimmy’s Sports Pub & Grub Jimmy Thomas Endeavor, WI

Jam-Rock Recordo Neil Green Bay, WI

Sussex Bowl Stephen Hoehnen Sussex, WI

Portage County

DISTRICT 3 Crawford County

Grant/Iowa County

Stage Door Pub Lane Braun Manitowoc, WI

Jerry’s Place Abbey Bailey Madison, WI

Savoy Restaurant John Strong Lake Geneva, WI

On Premise

Manitowoc County

Big Daddy’s Pub & Grub Paul Kowalske Oshkosh, WI

Country Gardens Motel & Lounge Guy and Tamara Nelson Soldiers Grove, WI

DISTRICT 4

Skipper’s Waterside Bar & Grill Kurt Plamann Fremont, WI

Lucky’s on 2nd LLC Lee Chipman and Mandi Rossier Wisconsin Rapids, WI

Bennett’s MCC Summit Station Inc. Madison, WI

Hernandez Restaurant Raphael Hernandez Delavan, WI

American Legion Post #417 William Binnebose La Crosse, WI

Alley Oops Bar Robert Meyers Livingston, WI

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

Becky’s Downtown Polonia Cafe Becky Stull Custer, WI Star Spangled Spirits Wayne Muller Stevens Point, WI

Shawano County Golfside Pub Tony Powers Shawano, WI Sharona’s Bar Robert McDowell Shawano, WI

Marinette County Roger’s Inn Roger Rechle Marinette, WI

Outagamie County Bob & Geri’s Black Otter Supper Club Geri Guyette Hortonville, WI Hideout Bar LLC Amanda Ernst Appleton, WI Jackson Point Sports Bar & Grill Tom Jackson Seymour, WI

www.tlw.org

NEW MEMBERS Peggy’s Midtown Julie Priebe Black Creek, WI

DISTRICT 7 Chippewa County Wissota Lodge & Conference Center Greg Mitwede Chippewa Falls, WI

Clark County IGYS Bar & Grill Samantha Thorton Withee, WI Sawmill Saloon Mary Domanico Greenwood, WI

Polk County Luck Golf Course Kevin Clunis Luck, WI Luck-E Bar & Restaurant Stacy Irwin Luck, WI

Burnett County Wild Water Bar & Grill Jonathan Keller Danbury, WI

Greater Northwoods Dear Lodge Jim Way Mercer, WI Eunica’s Beaver Lodge Terry Maerz Mercer, WI Pitt’s Place Perry Ofstad Saxon, WI

Lakeland Area Marty’s Place North Andrea Cady-Teece Arbor Vitae, WI

Sunsets at Paradise Keith Duffee Balsam Lake, WI

Pine Ridge Family Restaurant Quenli Alimi Merrill, WI

Trempealeau/ Buffalo County

Oneida County

Dam Saloon Bob Harris Fountain City, WI

The Pines Event Center Julie Stieber Rhinelander, WI 4.875"

Latino Bar LLC Marissa Acosta Perez Arcadia, WI

Play by Play Eric Lapczynski Rhinelander, WI

Ashland/Bayfield County The Fat Radish Dan and Patti Holman Cornucopia, WI www.tlw.org

Washburn County Jerseys Sports Bar & Grill Doug Lein Spooner, WI

DISTRICT 9 Milwaukee Happy Tap Marc Lovora West Allis, WI 3.343"

Lincoln County Gesundheit Jesse Quade Merrill, WI

DISTRICT 8

Leif’s Cafe Raul and Marie Torres Eagle River, WI

Watering Hole Cantina & Grille Joel Bayer Hazelhurst, WI

Py’s Saloon & Grill Traci Libersky Osceola, WI

The Red Ram Saloon Dylan Fluekiger Alma, WI

Dublin Sports Bar & Grill Jonathan Racine Conover, WI

Contact us for all of your insurance needs! Securing, Protecting, & Growing Your American Dream 888 State Hwy. 153, Mosinee WI 54455

Taylor County

No matter what type of product you need for your business, Ansay & Associates has you covered.

Bottoms Up Pub & Grub Candy Cosgrove Westboro, WI

Vilas County Buckshots Downtown Dan Ullsperger Eagle River, WI

715.693.2100

General Liability

Property

Umbrella Evaluator

Cyber Liability

Management Liability

Port Washington • Green Bay • Manitowoc • Mosinee • Appleton • Madison Burlington • Cedarburg • Brookfield • Oshkosh • Stevens Point • Eau Claire • Augusta Chippewa Falls • Chetek • Menomonie • New Richmond •Bloomer • River Falls

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

AFFILIATE MEMBERS TLW AFFILIATE MEMBERS AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 2020 21st Century Financial Services

Community Business Development

3 Sheeps Brewing Company 3DL Design

Cornerstone Processing Solutions

A-1 Amusement

Corporate Casuals LLC

Ackley Novelty

Country Thunder

Adams County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism

D&D Amusement Games

Allied Games

Delafield Brewhaus

American Entertainment Services

Delicious Foods of Wisconsin

American Income Life Insurance Company

DeVere Company Inc.

Amusement Devices Inc. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP)

Davis & Kuelthau

Demon Spirits Edge One El Cortez Hotel & Casino Electronic Performance Systems

B&K Bar Supplies

Emil’s Pizza

B-M Music & Games

e-tailer Inc./RocketDSD

Badgerland Sentext

EZ Dock/Pike Dock and Marine

Badger Mutual Insurance Company Badger State Media Baird Financial Advisors/ Farley Forster Herbenson Group

Fabiano Brothers Inc. Face Card Promotions/ Ad-Tabs Fein Brothers

Banilla Games

First Choice Merchant Services

Baraboo Sysco Food Services

Flanigan Distributing

BarRags Drinkwear

Flashpoint Designs

Batzner Pest Control

Flipside Coin Machines

Bay Towel Linen and Uniform Rental

Foremost Business Systems Inc.

Bayland Insurance

Forest Floor Foods

Benedict Refrigeration Service

Frank Beer Distributors

Berg Company

Free Jackpot Bingo/ American Amusement Ent.

Best Bargains Inc. Bevinco Big Game Sports Cards/ Sterling Graphics Bill’s Distributing

Game Management Corporation General Beer Northeast Inc. Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown

Blue Honey Bio-Fuels

Glavinsured Agency Inc.

Bob Schuchardt Insurance Agency

Great Lakes Beverage Great Northern Amusements

Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin

Gunderson Uniform and Linen Rental

Brakebush Brothers

Heartland Business Systems

Brass Foundry Brewing Company

Hiawatha Chef Supply

Brat Stop Products

The House of Insurance

Breakthru Beverage Wisconsin

Howe’s Aim to Please Vending

Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza

HSC Business Brokers

Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI)

Illinois Casualty Company

Bromak Sales Inc.

Indeflex

Bullseye Games Capital Brewery

Indianhead Foodservice Distributor

Captain Ken’s Foods

Inkworks

Clock’d

The Insurance Center

On Premise

Holiday Wholesale Inc.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

Jahnke Coin Machine Johnson Brothers Kaufhold’s Kurds La Crosse Distilling Company La Crosse Loggers Baseball Club Lamers Bus Lines LC Branding LCSI Lebby’s Frozen Pizza Lee Beverage of Wisconsin LLC M & R Amusements & Vending LLC Magnuson Inc. Maple Avenue Marketing & Apparel Mass Appeal Inc. MBE CPAs McCain Foods Metropolitan Food Service Equipment Midstate Amusement Games Midwest Amusements Midwest Coin Concepts Milwaukee Brewers Mitchell Novelty Company Modern Cash Register Systems Modern Specialty Company Motion Technology Inc. Murphy Desmond S.C. National Metalwares Furniture Nei-Turner Media Group New Glarus Brewing Company Noble Insurance Service Northern Lakes Amusement Northern Oasis Spirits Northwest Coin Machine Northwoods Fire Protection LLC Paradise Printing Company Park Ridge Distributing Inc. Pearl Street Brewery Pecatonica Beer Company Pehler Brothers Distributing Pop’s Kettle Corn Precision Pours Inc. PretzelHaus Bakery/FUNacho Pro3 Solutions LLC PureCart Enterprises LLC Quaker Bakery Brands Quantum Merchant Services/YETE Tech. Racine Amusement Inc. Red’s Novelty Ltd.

Reinhart Foodservice LLC Restaurant Technologies Retail Control Solutions Rhinelander Brewing Company/Minhas Riverside Foods Rum Runner Tropicana Rush Creek Distilling S&S Distributing Inc. Sales & Income Tax Advisory Sam’s Amusement Sanimax Saratoga Liquor Company Inc. Schmidt Novelty Scott’s Vending Inc. Sketchworks Architecture Society/Ansay & Associates Sports Impressions Stansfield Vending Star Business Machines Stevens Point Brewery Strategic Marketing Company Superior Beverages LLC Superior Business Systems Superior Vending Taylor Enterprises of Wisconsin Inc. Tesch Chemical Tiger Amusement Tom Sawyer Amusements Tri-Mart/Midwest Food & Tobacco Group Tricky Dick Specialties 2 Universal Apparel Universal Presentation Concepts Van Bookkeeping LLC Vemos Vern’s Cheese Inc. Viking Log Furniture Vincent, Urban, Walker & Associates Wausau Coin Machines Inc. Wisconsin Hospitality Insured Wine Institute Wisconsin Growing Company Wisconsin Motorcycle Roads Travel Guide Wisconsin Restaurant Association Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps Wollersheim Winery & Distillery Xtreme Bar Bingo www.tlw.org

2020 TLW State Golf Outing Lake Arrowhead in Adams County held the TLW’s Annual State Golf Outing on September 14. It was a beautiful day for 38 teams at a terrific golf course. Lunch and dinner were provided, along with plenty of fundraising activities. Adams County, Lake Arrowhead and the TLW raised over $10,000 for several local charities. A big thank you to all of our sponsors and volunteers who helped create another successful event. Congratulations to our 2020 winners! First Place – Kleinke’s Scorecard Pub and Grill, Fond du Lac Jeff Kleinke Dave Paulson Mike Lemke Rich Smith Other winners include: The Old Mill, Arkdale Clark County Tavern League Paul’s Neighborhood Bar, Middleton Vilas County Tavern League Jak’s Korner Bar, Watertown

HarborTouch • Clover • POYNT • & More We Let You Stay with YOUR Bank Pay 0% on Credit Card Processing Costs As LOW as only $29 per Month

www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

On Premise

INDUSTRY TRENDS PIRATE’S BOUNTY MARTINI RECIPE BY SNOWY RIVER COCKTAILS

his flavorful and easy-to-make cocktail, designed by Stuart Cutler and the Snowy River Bellingham, is sure to please swashbucklers looking to sit back and relax at the end of a long day.

INGREDIENTS 1 Ounce = Vodka 2.5 Ounces = Shipwreck Coffee Rum 0.5 Ounce = Frangelico 2 Dashes = Scrappy’s Chocolate Bitters Snowy River Gold Cocktail Glitter Snowy River Chocolate Diamond Cocktail Sugar

COCKTAIL RECIPE Pre-rim the glass with Snowy River Chocolate Diamond Cocktail Sugar rimmer using simple syrup (for a thicker rim) as the binding agent. Fill a shaker with ice to chill. Add all of the ingredients listed above to the shaker, stir and then strain into a martini glass. Snowy River Cocktails offers custom cocktail menu design, mobile bartending services, and a range of cocktail sugars, salts and glitters. TLW

ADVERTISER INDEX Anheuser-Busch........................................................................... 7 anheuser-busch.com Ansay & Associates..................................................................... 31 ansay.com Barry the Beer Guy...................................................................... 31 ibuyoldbeer.com B&K Bar Supplies........................................................................ 34 bandkbarsupplies.com

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap

PULLTAB PROMOTIONS

Great Proﬁts Employee Incentive Program Used Pulltab Machines Available More Info: 262-336-9624 daytonyoung@wimilkcaps.com www.wimilkcaps.com

Cornerstone Processing Solutions................................................ 33 cornerstoneps.net Edge One..................................................................................... 12 edgeone.com MillerCoors................................................................................. 36 millercoors.com

Stools, Tables, Booths, Outdoor Furniture, Glasswashers and Full Line of Bar Supplies.

Riverside Foods........................................................................... 35 riversidefoods.com

5 Year Frame Warranty Available 12 or more stools - FREE DELIVERY.

Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators (WAMO).............. 2 wamo.net Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps...................................................... 21, 34 wimilkcaps.com

On Premise

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2020

25 Year Affiliate Tavern League Member

7100 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

414.259.9161 • contact@bandkbarsupplies.com

www.BandKBarSupplies.com www.tlw.org

Enjoy Vegetarian Hot Wi ngs! Sriracha Cauliflower Tender cauliflower florets in a spicy crunchy coating. Code: 4750 Pack: 4/2.5 lb Count: 23-33/lb

REQUEST FREE SAMPLES AT www.riversidefoods.com/contact-riverside-foods/ Mail this completed coupon and qualifying distributor invoices to: Riverside Foods 2520 Wilson Street Two Rivers, WI 54241

Purchase Sriracha Cauliflower and receive $3 per case with a 4 case minimum purchase. CUSTOMER NAME/TITLE

MAILING ADDRESS or email to: mzeman@riversidefoods.com

COMPANY NAME CITY

$ 3 per case 4 case minimum

PHONE NUMBER STATE

ZIP

ONLY ONE REDEMPTION PER ESTABLISHMENT. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH ANY OTHER OFFERS. MAY NOT CLAIM WITH INVOICES ALREADY SUBMITTED ON OTHER OFFERS. OFFER DOES NOT APPLY TO CHAINS OR PRODUCT PURCHASED ON BID. PLEASE ALLOW 4-6 WEEKS FOR REFUND.

Coupon valid November 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020. This coupon may be duplicated.

2520 Wilson Street | Two Rivers, WI 54241 | www.RiversideFoods.com | 800-678-4511

OFFICIAL BEER SPONSOR OF THE GREEN BAY PACKERS CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY ®

On Premise November/December 2020

Articles inside

Affiliate Members

Legislative Notes

Featured Affiliates

2020 Golf Outing

Front Rail

Corporate Spotlight

President’s Perspective

Corporate Members