On Premise July/August 2013

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE TAVERN LEAGUE OF WISCONSIN

July/August 2013 tlw.org

Stay Competitive Build your business & Bottom Line

Also in this issue: Brown Jug Bill Gains Momentum TLW Lobbies for New Legislation

How to Defeat New BAC Levels www.tlw.org

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The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin July/August 2013 Volume 31, No. 4

FEATURES

Stay Ahead of the competition. . . . . . . . 10 Leagues, contests and other special events can build your business and your bottom line

Insurance Selection. . . 15 Protect your Business

the underage Drinking battle. . . . . . . . . . 16 League Supports Bill Making Minors Accountable

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TLW Fall convention preview. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Helping to Insure our Industry’s Future

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS League Profile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Wood County

Business Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Skmo’s Place

Charity Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 Pub Pilots Inc.

16 Departments Senior Vice President’s Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Corporate Sponsors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Front Rail. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Accounting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Affiliate Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Straight Up – Spirit Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Local League Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

34 36 38 39 40 42

Socialize with us:

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Senior vice President’s Perspective A

s your new senior vice president, I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself. My name is Chris Marsicano, and I’m co-owner of The Village Supper Club located on the shores of Delavan Lake, in Walworth County.

My parents bought the supper club in 1966 when I was 2 years old, so you could say I’ve grown up in this business. My father, Nick, and my mother, Doris, knew nothing of the bar and restaurant business but were graced with a love of people and having a good time, and they were also not afraid of hard work. They taught me, along with my brother, Dave, and my sisters, Nikki and Rocky, the importance of hard work and the satisfaction of a job well done. They also passed on to us outgoing personalities and a love of people. My father and mother passed away in 1989 and 1998, respectively, and my brother and I have owned and worked in the business ever since.

I have a real passion for the Tavern League and what it stands for. In 2003 I began my tenure on the TLW board when I was elected 1st district director, and a few years later, southern zone VP. I represented the southern zone as VP until I was elected senior vice president at the TLW board meeting in April. Over the years I have served on many TLW committees, including membership, calendar, auction and On Premise, which for the last seven years, I’ve served as chairman.

As the chairman for On Premise, I feel a strong attachment to this publication. We are always in search of information to include that will benefit our membership. Story ideas are always welcome, and local leagues are strongly encouraged to submit photos of their activities. Whether it is a check presentation, golf outing, pub crawl or fundraiser, we would love to share your photos with other members.

In the search for story ideas for the magazine, often times inspiration can come from the strangest places. For example, in recent conversations with other TLW board members, I have discovered that several, like me, hold positions in their local governments. This made me wonder if any other TLW members hold positions in local government. Have they found that their knowledge and ability to work with people make them a good fit, or is there another reason? Personally, I have found that being more involved with my municipality gives me early awareness of issues that will affect the food and beverage industries. Do you have members that regularly attend local government meetings and report back to your league?

If you are on your town board or city council, or if you have representatives attend local meetings, drop me a line at c.marsicano@yahoo.com or call me at 262-745-4043. There just might be a story here! If you have any story ideas or suggestions for On Premise, please don’t hesitate to give me a call or email me.

When invited, I will do my best to attend your meetings or events. It is an honor to represent the TLW as senior vice president, and I will do everything in my power to serve you well.

Chris Marsicano Senior Vice President

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Corporate Sponsors SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION

SUPPORT THOSE WHO Support Those Who Support Our Association SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION SUPPORT THOSE WHO PLATINUM SPONSORS SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION Platinum PLATINUMSponsors SPONSORS SUPPORT THOSE WHO SPONSORS SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION PLATINUM PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

Anheuser-Busch Anheuser-Busch Anheuser-Busch Anheuser-Busch

TAV VE RE NR NL ELAEGAUGEUOE F OWFI SWCIOSNCSOI NN S I N TA

Silver Sponsors SILVER SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS

SILVER SPONSORS

BRONZE SPONSORS

BRONZESponsors SPONSORS Bronze

BRONZE SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS

Wisconsin Amusement &

Wisconsin Amusement & Music Operators, Inc. Music Operators, Inc. Wisconsin Amusement & Make sure and thank these groups for their support, andWisconsin encourage others not on the&list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call Amusement Music Operators, Inc. Make sure and thank these groups for their support, and encourage others not on thecategories. list to participate.

Any business interested inus.” joining should call the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of thenot different Remember “Support who support Music Operators, Make sure to thank these groups for their support, and encourage others onInc. the list to participate.

Any businessthose interested in joining should call the

the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support us.”

(608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists benefits ofothers the different Remember “Support those interested who support MakeTLW sureoffice and thank these groups for their support, andthe encourage not on categories. the list to participate.

Any business in us.” joining should call Make sure and thank these groups forfor their others not ondifferent the list tocategories. participate.

Any business interested in joining should the TLW office (608-270-8591) oursupport, brochureand thatencourage lists the benefits of the Remember “Support those who support us.” call www.tlw.org july/August 2013us.”On Premise 55 the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support www.tlw.org 2012 January/February On Premise n

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

SILVER SPONSORS

2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

2 0 21021 2M EMME M B EB RE RS SHHI PI P DDI IRREECC TT O O RRYY

GOLD SPONSORS

Gold Sponsors GOLD SPONSORS

Upcoming Convention & Trade Show Dates & Locations Fall 2013 Convention & Trade Show October 7-10, 2013 The Hyatt (formerly Sierra Hotel) and KI Convention Center 333 Main St., Green Bay (920) 432-4555

President Terry Harvath

Senior Vice President Chris Marsicano

Secretary Sue Bonte Lee

Treasurer

Spring 2014 Conference & Trade Show April 7-10, 2014 Radisson Hotel & La Crosse Center 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse (608) 793-5004 Fall 2014 Convention & Trade Show October 6-9, 2014 Kalahari Resort 1305 Kalahari Dr., Wisconsin Dells (608) 254-5466 Spring 2015 Conference & Trade Show March 30-April 2, 2015 Grand Geneva Resort 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva (262) 249-4704

Tom Dahlen

Southern Zone Vice Presidents Dan Taivalkoski, Jim Pickett

Eastern Zone Vice Presidents Gene Loose, Dale VandenLangenberg

Central Zone Vice Presidents Robert “Bubba” Sprenger, Lori Frommgen

Northern Zone Vice Presidents Rob Summerfield, Dan Corbin

Editor Pete Madland, Executive Director, Tavern League of Wisconsin

Associate editor Barb Howell, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

Art Director

Fall 2015 Convention & Trade Show October 5-8, 2015 Radisson Paper Valley Hotel 333 W. College Ave., Appleton (920) 733-8000 Spring 2016 Conference & Trade Show April 5-8, 2016 Plaza Hotel & Suites & Conference Center 1202 W. Clairemont Ave., Eau Claire (715) 834-7308 Fall 2016 Convention & Trade Show October 10-13, 2016 Kalahari Resort 1305 Kalahari Dr., Wisconsin Dells (608) 254-5466 Spring 2017 Conference & Trade Show April 2-5, 2017 Radisson Hotel & La Crosse Center 200 Harborview Plaza, La Crosse (608) 793-5004 Fall 2017 Convention & Trade Show October 2-5, 2017 Radisson Paper Valley Hotel 333 W. College Ave., Appleton (920) 733-8000 For more information please call the Tavern League of Wisconsin 800-445-9221

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Kayla Collins, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

Graphic Design Jerriann Mullen, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc.

Advertising Sales Louise Andraski, Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc. louisea@merr.com

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

Contributing Writers Jen Bradley, Barb Howell, Jim Kuerschner, Lauren LaViola, Pete Madland, Chris Marsicano, Kimberly Ruef, Scott Stenger, Amanda Wegner,

Printed By RR Donnelley Long Prairie, Minnesota On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) is a bi-monthly publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc., 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713, phone: 800-445-9221.

On Premise is produced by Nei-Turner Media Group, Inc., 93. W. Geneva St., P.O. Box 1080, Williams Bay, WI 53191. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher.

Printing is by RR Donnelley, Long Prairie, MN. For advertising information, contact Louise Andraski, 262-245-1000, louisea@merr.com.

Subscriptions included in TLW membership dues; non-member subscriptions: $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. ©2013 Tavern League of Wisconsin, Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication and credit given to author and On Premise.

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Front Rail Pete Madland, TLW Executive Director

As you all know, The Tavern League of Wisconsin has included CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) in our “giving back” charity fundraising program for the past two years. Last spring CORE sent Arthur Schinke, son of TLW member Brad Schinke, and the rest of the Schinke Family on a Disney cruise making many of this young boy’s biggest dreams come true. CORE has been very busy since the Schinke gift and I have asked Lauren LaViola, executive director of CORE to fill us in on some of the other good work their organization is doing, and to remind all of you why we continue to partner with this organization.

I’d like to commend TLW Joint Districts 1 & 9 for their generous donation to CORE in memory of Lou Ludwin. Lou was the husband of long-time Kenosha County Tavern League Member Tina Ludwin. Our thoughts are with Tina and hope this gift to CORE will provide some comfort.

Giving to the Most Vulnerable Examples of CORE in Action

By Lauren LaViola, CORE executive director

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hroughout the past year, CORE has gifted two deserving children of employees in our industry and is in the process of gifting a third child. One of the children is Carson Lapp, son of waitress Kelly Dugan from Charleston, South Carolina.

On April 15, 2010, Kelly Dugan’s life changed forever. Her beautiful son, Carson, was born with Down syndrome and multiple congenital heart defects.

Carson had four surgeries before he was 4 months old, including open heart surgery, and he had a feeding tube until he was 11 months.

A TOUGH LITTLE BOY EMERGES He is 3 years old now and is delightful and resilient while going through four therapy sessions a week. Carson has started walking with the assistance of a walker and a therapist and, although he doesn’t speak much, he has almost 80 signs that he uses to communicate. He is a HUGE Disney fan; “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse” is an essential part of his day!

Since Carson was born, Kelly has made it her mission to try and raise awareness for all kids with Down syndrome. She volunteers with her local

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Down Syndrome Association and has revamped the new parent packets with current and positive information. Kelly is the contact person for these new

parents and helps to guide them through the health care system while offering support and understanding.

Working as a waitress part-time to pay off Carson’s medical bills, Kelly has gone back to school to become a nurse in a pediatric cardiothoracic ICU. In December 2012, Carson, Kelly and Kelly’s parents traveled on the Disney www.tlw.org

Nick Hotel in Orlando. Eddie had some priceless ‘normal’ time with his siblings.

We can’t thank you enough for helping us have some fun during this difficult time.”

The next CORE recipient will be gifted in July 2013, so visit the website (www. coregives.org) to read all about what CORE has in store for this special child.

For the third year in a row, CORE was the official charity of the VIBE Conference held in Las Vegas in March.

The VIBE Conference is the chain owner/operator version of the Night Club and Bar Convention and Trade Show. The week started with a CORE kick-off party and ended with a two-day silent auction. Across all of the events, including individual and generous corporate donations, CORE raised approximately $50,000, almost tripling last year’s level of support.

Magic Cruise Ship for a New Year’s Eve they truly deserved and will never forget.

SUPERMAN RECEIVES SUPER GIFTS The most recent child that CORE gifted is Eddie “Superman” Livingston, son of Craig Livingston, an employee of Sodexo, a food service and facilities management company. Eddie was diagnosed with Stage IV neuroblastoma at 2 years old. He has undergone four surgeries, 14 rounds (weeks) of chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and almost two years later he and his family are still fighting!

A SPECIAL CHRISTMAS The following month CORE chairman, Joe Smith of Monin Gourmet Flavors, Santa Claus and I traveled to the family’s home in Florida to bring new bikes and toys to the children.

Eddie’s mother, Jeanine, told CORE, “It was heartwarming to see them [the children] so happy and able to forget for a little while about everything else.

Their Christmas vacation was made even more special with a surprise stay at the

With the launch of the new CORE website, a new membership program, and awareness continuing to spread across the hospitality industry, CORE gets stronger by the day. Let’s continue to share the CORE message and stories with those in the Tavern League of Wisconsin, while giving back to those in our industry.

You can find more information about CORE at www.coregives.org or on Facebook. Please feel free to reach out to me with any additional inquiries at Lauren@coregives.org. TLW

Fighting for your child’s life is a nightmare to say the least. It’s very difficult to make time to take special care of your other children, so CORE made sure to include all four Livingston children in all of the special gifts they gave to Eddie.

The first part of Eddie’s gift came just before Thanksgiving last fall when CORE sent the family out for a night on Broadway to see “Spider-Man Turn Off the Dark.” The Livingston family had fourth row seats for the amazing show and went on a back stage tour with none other than Spider-Man himself. www.tlw.org

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Stay Ahead of the

Competition Leagues, contests and other special events can build your business and your bottom line

By Amanda Wegner Photography by Shanna Wolf

I

t’s no secret that competition is fierce for people’s free time and entertainment dollars. From festivals and sporting events to athletic pursuits and gaming and more, there is plenty available to keep people entertained, making it all the more important that tavern owners constantly look for interesting and rewarding ways to keep people coming through their doors.

“People have options,” says David Ajdini, who owns Madison’s Legends Sports Bar & Grill with his father, Duli. “You have to do something different and look at new ways to bring people into your place.”

While advertising, branded promotional items and social media have become top tactics, there are plenty of other creative ways to build your customer base and increase your revenue. Here, three Tavern League members show how they’ve leveraged their spaces, tapped their creativity, and used events, leagues, contests and other attractions to build their businesses.

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The demand for sand volleyball means Legends Sports Bar & Grill is running leagues every night of the week, except Saturday. In the winter, the court is transformed into a pond for hockey and broomball. july/August 2013

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brews as well as other brands from around the state and country, and the Best Wurst Fest, a sausage festival, in September.

“We’re in a unique position that we’re a company trying to build our beer brand as well as a restaurant brand,” says Jim Sorenson, Owner. “There are challenges in that, but our events, leagues, outings and other special things are all designed with that in mind: getting people in here and introducing them to Horny Goat, while making back our investment the best we can — and it’s working.”

He adds: “It’s about fun,” says Sorenson.

“There is so much competition, so what differentiates us from the rest of the crowd is that we have to have an entertainment value. We’re not a business where regulars come every day. We’ve got to perform at a different level to succeed.”

Using What You’ve Got

Wisconsin’s warm weather is short-lived so capitalizing on it with an outdoor venue can draw crowds. David Ajdini added a Tiki bar, complete with sand, lounge chairs and fake palm trees to the space outside his Madison bar.

Space Planning In the fall and winter, televised football games bring people to on-premise establishments in droves. But in the summer, the Brewers just can’t compare to the Packers and Badgers. With that in mind, Ajdini wanted to even out the seasons at Legends, so in spring 2010, he turned part of the parking lot into a sand volleyball court.

“We have a big property and a lot of unused space,” says Ajdini. “At first it was just a minimal investment, because I didn’t know how it was going to go.

Once we saw there was a huge demand for outdoor leagues, then I built the court bigger and better.”

There are 12 teams playing Sunday, and eight teams playing each night, Monday through Friday. To utilize the space in the volleyball offseason, Ajdini puts a pool liner over the sand court, fills it with water and offers

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pond hockey and broomball leagues and tournaments in winter.

But there was more space left to fill, so last spring Ajdini built a backyard Tiki bar, complete with sand, lounge chairs and fake palm trees. “You’ve always got to be doing something [to get additional business], because other bars will be trying new things – you just have to be flexible. The leagues are definite moneymakers, and a good marketing tool as well.”

Similarly, Horny Goat Pub and Brewing is utilizing its space — an entire city block in downtown Milwaukee. That includes a 15,000-square-foot indoor volleyball area, where Horny Goat offers leagues every night, serving about 280 volleyball teams each week.

With so much space at their disposal, Horny Goat also offers a quarterly craft beer festival featuring their namesake

The Echo Tap, located just blocks from UW-Madison’s Kohl Center, can’t grow up or out, but that hasn’t stopped Owner Pat Rynes and his team from devising creative ways to grow the 72-year-old business. That includes offering trivia twice a week, in partnership with Team Trivia Madison. Thursday’s 9 p.m. trivia event brings in the biggest crowd of the week. There is also trivia on Sunday night. “We can get upward of 30 teams,” says Rynes. “Some nights you can barely move it’s so packed.”

You’ve always got to be doing something because other bars will be trying new things – you just have to be flexible.

—David Ajdini, Co-owner, legends Sports Bar & grill

Echo Tap first offered trivia after completing a major renovation in 2011, says Manager Troy Cox. The addition of a 900-square-foot, year-round patio allows even more teams to get into the trivia action. “Yeah, it would be great to have more space, but we’re doing a fabulous job with what we’ve got,” says Rynes. “I www.tlw.org

Affiliate Member of the Tavern League of Wi

think that’s really important for bar owners to understand; they can grow their business without going crazy.”

Being close to the Kohl Center — and with a sports-crazed co-owner, Susan Bulgrin — ticket giveaways are huge for Echo Tap, too. The bar gives away Brewers tickets and Badger basketball and hockey tickets. This summer, anyone who comes into the Echo on Wednesday night is entered into a drawing to win a pair of tickets for their September Brewers bus trip. Last fall, they had a contest for the final regular-season Badgers football game against Nebraska, including transportation, hotel and tickets; and during the NCAA March Madness tournament, one lucky winner got Badgers men’s basketball season tickets, a $1,300 value.

“We wouldn’t be doing these things if they didn’t make us money,” says Rynes.

“We try to make it very attractive and fun for customers to be here, which is why we do the things we do.”

Giving Back It’s one thing to have a party to improve

your business’s bottom line. It’s another thing to have a party for someone or something in need … and to make it worth the investment for everyone involved.

With Horny Goat’s “Goat Gives Back,” held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays, five percent of Horny Goat’s brewpub sales go to a local charity. Designed to help groups that help people (and sometimes humane societies), Horny Goat and the charity both promote the event to draw a crowd. “We want to be a strong community corporate partner,” says Sorenson.

“That’s important to us as a company and helps build the brand, too.”

Each year for Ajdini’s birthday, he and his father throw a big cookout with a band and donate 10 percent of the day’s total sales to a charity of Ajdini’s choice. “Who doesn’t love a party? And who doesn’t love a party when it’s for a good cause?

It’s completely possible for fundraising opportunities and events to translate into more dollars and awareness for your own business. And they should.”

Ed 120 Packerland Drive Green Bay, WI 54303

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Echo Tap offers trivia contests every Thursday and Sunday night, bringing hundreds of participants into the bar. Echo Tap is part of Team Trivia Madison and its statewide partner, Team Trivia Wisconsin. If you’re interested in hosting a trivia league, visit teamtriviawi.com for more information.

www.tlw.org

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PROCESSING WITH A PURPOSE in Partnership with TLW presents

On Success

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A common theme among these members is this: Just try. “It really does involve a lot of trial and error,” says Sorenson.

“You don’t know what will be successful until you do it.”

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Adds Ajdini: “If you have an idea and you think it might work, my advice is to do it. You never know unless you try.”

But that said, planning is important.

“You can’t be afraid, but you have to be diligent,” says Sorenson. “You need a good marketing plan and you have to understand what the costs will be. Planning is everything and that’s the least fun of the whole thing.”

It really does involve a lot of trial and error. You don’t know what will be successful until you do it.

— Jim Sorenson, Owner, horny goat pub and brewing

Once you get going, stick it out a bit and use the other tools you have at your disposal to promote your leagues, contests and special events. “Don’t give up because it doesn’t work out the first season or year,” says Ajdini. “It takes time to get established.”

But also know when it’s time to call it. For instance, picking up on the success of their Thursday and Sunday night trivia events, Rynes added Monday night; but when that didn’t take off, he cut his losses.

Search for:

Tavern League of Wisconsin and become a fan!

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Of course, getting people into your tavern with a contest, league or special event is one thing; getting them back is another. That’s where excellent customer service comes in.

“The best form of advertising, hands down, is word of mouth,” says Ajdini.

“When people come in and you treat them right, and you show them a good time, it comes back and really works out.” TLW

www.tlw.org

Insurance Selection: Protect your Business

By Jim Kuerschner

S

electing the right insurance carrier to safeguard both your business and employees can be a daunting undertaking. As a bar owner, you carefully consider the drinks you serve, the food you offer and the atmosphere you foster.

Your insurance selection needs the same consideration.

Enlist an Agent’s Help Your first step is to decide whether you’ll be selecting your insurance through an independent agent or a direct writer. Direct writers are insurance companies that use exclusive agents, who sell only that company’s insurance to the public. On the other hand, independent agents represent multiple carriers, which typically allows them to be much more selective in finding the right fit for your business.

How do you identify an independent agent or direct writer who truly understands your business?

• Find out if the agent is well versed in your industry by asking how long they have worked with bars and taverns.

• Talk with your fellow Tavern League members to explore if they have had experience with this agent in the past, or if they have an agent referral.

• Ask the agent how liquor liability will be taken care of, how to ensure that cash losses are reconciled, and how business income coverage will be handled.

• Look for policies that are specificalwww.tlw.org

ly designed for the restaurant and tavern industries. Companies that have expertise in these industries will have policies tailored to them.

or loss of product resulting from a power outage or the breakdown of coolers or refrigerators.

Equipment Breakdown: Equipment Ensure You’re Covered While coverage needs can vary widely from business to business, there are certain coverages that Society Insurance strongly recommends customers have in place to safeguard their business, such as:

Liquor Liability: Although Wisconsin does not require liquor liability insurance for businesses that serve alcoholic beverages, it is still a vital coverage that could save you unnecessary costs, time and hassle in the long run. A basic example of where liquor liability insurance can protect your business is in the case of an over-served patron leaving the bar, driving his car and becoming involved in a car accident. In such a situation, liquor liability coverage can protect the bar from financial loss by covering legal and court fees, as well as any civil or criminal damages.

Spoilage Coverage: Bars that deal with perishable products have unique risks. If the power is out for an extended period of time, ingredients and stock may ultimately be unusable due to spoilage. Spoilage coverage compensates business owners for lost revenue from food contamination, food spoilage

breakdown coverage is specifically designed to address the unique and varied causes of equipment losses, such as short circuits, power surges and mechanical breakdowns — causes that are often excluded by most property insurance policies. Coupled with property insurance, equipment breakdown coverage works to fill the gaps and cover the physical and financial damage that results from equipment loss.

While this is just a small sampling of insurance coverage you should have in place to protect your business, it also demonstrates how complicated insurance decisions can be. Insurance is not one-size-fits-all, and the small details in policies from one company to the next can make a big difference in the quality of coverage.

Society Insurance specializes in insuring the bar industry and is well versed in its unique needs. To learn how taking care of the small details can mean a big difference in protecting your business, visit societyinsurance.com. TLW Editor’s Note: Jim Kuerschner is the corporate sales manager for Society Insurance. july/August 2013

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The Underage Drinking

Battle

Photo by Shanna Wolf

League Supports Bill Making Minors Accountable

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www.tlw.org

By Jennifer Bradley

T

he iconic Kollege Klub in the University of Wisconsin-Madison’s backyard has confiscated more than 2,000 fake IDs in the last 2½ years.

Owner Jordan Meier says that when a lot of minors start showing up from Pennsylvania, he knows a new wave of false IDs are circulating among the student population.

It’s been a tough reality in the tavern industry. An establishment caught serving minors is the one paying the penalty, especially when the fake IDs are so sophisticated police aren’t able to tell the difference. Assembly Bill 61, known to many as the Brown Jug Bill, is designed to stop that scenario and put the accountability back where it belongs, with the offender.

The bill unanimously passed the Assembly Committee on State Affairs on April 30 and is waiting for a Senate committee hearing, followed by a final vote.

What’s in the Brown Jug? Modeled after a 10-year-old law in Alaska, Assembly Bill 61 would allow establishments to sue minors in small claims court for a $1,000 fine if caught trying to consume alcohol illegally. The fine would be non-negotiable by a judge.

Rep. Andre Jacque (R-De Pere), the bill’s sponsor, says he thinks its prospects are very good. The idea was first brought to his attention shortly after his election in 2010. A Green Bay police captain from his 2nd Assembly District told him about the Brown Jug Law in Alaska. Jacque had worked closely with this captain as well as Police Chief Tom Molitor in community policing and best practice efforts.

At the time, municipalities in Jacque’s district were dealing with compliance rates below 50 percent. Local surveys had shown that 20 to 30 percent of teens admitted to binge drinking within the past month, and of those arrested for it, 70 percent confessed to driving under the influence. www.tlw.org

“Having them on the roads is a serious public safety concern,” Jacque says.

“Underage drinking is a serious concern in our state.”

Since the bill passed in Alaska, their compliance rate is now in the high 90th percentile, a remarkable change, Jacque says. Scott Stenger, the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s lobbyist, says that the fine in Alaska is $3,000 and has served as a great deterrent. “The reality is that law

Joyce Bartelt, TLW 2nd district director, has also served as the license representative for 26 years for the Pub of Mayville.

She says the Pub is really glad the bill is in the Legislature, and feels it’s a great way to deter underage drinking, but also protect the tavern’s license. Since it’s traditionally been the owner who is cited for an occurrence, and not necessarily the person committing the crime, Bartelt says this is a way to keep accountability where it should be.

All we’re going to need is one or two examples in the state of Wisconsin where this bill is used and I think we’ll see a huge difference.

— State Sen. Rick Gudex (R–Fond du lac)

enforcement’s top priority on a busy night isn’t going to a bar and writing tickets for fake IDs,” he adds.

That’s why they support this bill. Stenger explains that minors aren’t afraid of a small ticket from a cop, but they are going to think twice when they could be taken to court. He doesn’t think that the state will see a lot of court cases, but instead a decrease in attempts to use fake IDs, as the history of Alaska’s initiative has shown.

The $1,000 penalty aims to be sufficient enough to serve as a deterrent. State Sen. Rick Gudex (R-Fond du Lac) says, “All we’re going to need is one or two examples in the state of Wisconsin where this bill is used and I think we’ll see a huge difference.” He also agrees that law enforcement has limited resources to respond to each fake ID found on a minor.

“This is empowering tavern owners who for years have had to try to police this on their own,” Stenger adds. “Now it turns the table.”

“We feel very strongly that minors know how old they are. When they illegally try to acquire alcohol, they put that tavern’s license in jeopardy,” she says. “They’re not thinking that far though.”

Gudex adds that many times the tavern owners are the ones getting the black mark for such illegal behavior. While they spend money on extra security and technology, the Brown Jug Bill “levels the playing field,” he says.

Jacque agrees and adds that he likes the approach of working in partnership with the Tavern League and other alcohol retailers. “They have a vested interest in this as well, and by treating them as partners, a lot more can be accomplished.”

Spotting a Fake Gudex sums up the situation well: “These fake IDs are impeccable.”

Meier says spotting a fake is a constant challenge he faces at the Kollege Klub’s location in the heart of Madison’s college activity. He believes that training july/August 2013

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“Our mission is to market great products to our customers with exceptional service.”

his staff is the most important thing he can do. While certain IDs don’t pass UV ink tests and hologram tests, staff may also see details which are inaccurate, or just don’t add up. “They need a few of the tools, but 90 percent of this is just having the knowledge and experience of seeing IDs repeatedly,” Meier adds.

light is catching a good majority of the fake IDs his staff sees.

Most fakes are ordered from websites, such as reallygoodfakes.com. Meier says what frustrates him and other tavern owners is the lack of prosecution directed at the manufacturers and the ease at

They [TLW] have a vested interest in this as well, and by treating them as partners, a lot more can be accomplished.

— State Rep. Andre Jacque (R–De pere)

During the first weeks of last fall’s semester, Meier says a strange surge of kids from Pennsylvania were going to school on a campus in Wisconsin. As soon as one ID is recognized as fake, the Kollege Klub staff can confiscate 100 to 150 IDs in the next month. Then, the word is out. Once the trend is recognized and shut down, “the kids are immediately onto something else, a different state or different manufacturer,” Meier says.

Florida, Georgia and California have been popular options this year.

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Plus, a little incentive doesn’t hurt. Meier pays his door staff $5 for every fake ID they confiscate. He pays this cost personally. The standing record, he says, is 39 in one night. These are turned over to the police department, which uses them in training exercises.

Mayville is a small town, so if the staff at the Pub doesn’t recognize a new face, they check IDs. The greatest deterrence, however, comes in knowing your neighbors. At the Mayville Golf Club, where Bartelt and her husband previously worked, a signature ID book kept everyone accountable.

Technology has changed over the past decade. Scanners were the go-to for a long time, but fake ID manufacturers quickly found ways around that, Meier adds. The UV technology employed has been the most successful in helping Kollege Klub bouncers recognize a fake ID. Meier says the scanners were a financial stretch for many at about $2,000 when they were first introduced, but a $50 UV

which minors can get IDs mailed directly to their front door.

Stenger agrees, saying it’s not like it was years ago. “It’s all symptomatic of a failed drinking age,” he adds. These same minors aren’t going into a department store and stealing something, because it’s illegal, Stenger explains. With alcohol consumption, however, he says it’s not socially considered an offense of the same proportion.

Jacque hopes this bill acts as a way to facilitate conversations between parents and their children before they even think of using a fake ID. “We have enough issues with alcohol in our society, especially when it comes to our youth, says Gudex. “We want to make sure we’re doing the right things to prevent any more problems.”

If the Brown Jug Bill passes, Gudex acknowledges that minors are still going to try to get into taverns. “Absolutely,” he says. “But we’re trying to set an example.” Stenger feels that they are more willing to take a chance of getting a small fine from the police, but if the “bar owner can confiscate the ID, begin civil litigation and fine them $1,000, they may not be so willing to risk it.” TLW

www.tlw.org

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2013 fall convention preview

Helping to insure our industry's future “Helping to Insure our Industry’s Future” TLW 78th fall Convention and Trade Show

Sponsored by

Hotel

October 7 - 10, 2013

Hyatt on Main 333 Main St. • Green Bay 920-432-4555 Hotel

rate(s)/Distance

Clarion Hotel 201 Main St. Green Bay 920-437-5900 www.clarionhotel.com/hotel-green_bay-wisconsin-WI225

Convention Center

Rate(S)

Hyatt on Main

Std. Double Queen Suites $120 (1 to 2 adults)

333 Main St.

King Suites $130 (1 to 2 adults)

St. Brendan’s Inn

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King Studio $130 (1 to 2 adults)

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For each additional adult $20 per night

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Standard $94 Holding 100 Rooms/ Across the street from convention site.

$99.00 Holding 20 Rooms Five blocks from convention site

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Deposits must equal one night’s lodging plus tax.

Rooms are limited. Reservation deadline: Sept. 6, 2013

2870 Ramada Way Green Bay 920-499-3599 www.staygreenbay.com/

Cancellation Policy: No penalty will be assessed if room is cancelled no later than 6 p.m., 24 hours prior to your arrival. Reservations cancelled after this time will be subject to charges equal to one night’s lodging plus taxes. This also includes no-show reservations.

$49.00 Ask for the TLW Room Rate/ Five miles from convention site.

2013 Fall Convention Registration Form Name

Spouse/Guest Name

Signature(s)

/

Business Name Mailing Address City/State/Zip Business Phone

Home Phone

Local League This is my first convention

I am a new Member

I would like to contribute $5.00 of this registration fee to: (please check one only)

Total amount Due $

Tavern Industry Political Action Committee

Check #

Wisconsin Tavern League Foundation

Mastercard

CORE (Children of Restaurant Employees) REGISTRATION FEE PER PERSON

Member

METHOD OF PAYMENT

Visa

American Express

Card # Non-Member

Expiration Date

Full Registration……………………………

$50

$70

Signature

Postmarked after September 25, 2013

$60

$80

Cardholder Address

One Day Only………………………………

(Circle one Tuesday/Wednesday)

$30

$35

City/State/Zip

Cardholder Name

Please complete and mail this form with payment to: TLW, 2817 Fish Hatchery Road, Fitchburg, WI 53713-5005 20

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2013 Fall Convention Registration Form

www.tlw.org

2013 fall convention preview

Schedule of events MONDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2013 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM TLW Board of Directors Meeting – Hyatt 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM Food Service Sanitation Course & Exam – Hyatt - Room 5A & 5B (Class Registration open to members and non-members) 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM Board Lunch – Hyatt 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM Registration– KI Center Lobby 8:00 PM to Midnight Brown County Tavern League Welcome Party Location: Stadium View Band:TBD

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2013 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – KI Center Lobby 8:45 AM to 9:15 AM Nomination Committee – KI Center A3 8:45 AM to 9:15 AM Audit Committee – KI Center A4 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM General Business Meeting – KI Center Hall B Color Guard Presents Colors Attendance Drawing Host League Intro-Dale VandenLangenberg, Eastern Zone VP Opening Ceremony-Brown County Tavern League President, Barry Fitzgerald Vice President’s Report – Chris Marsicano President’s Report – Terry Harvath Secretary’s Report– Sue Bonte Lee Treasurer’s Report– Tom Dahlen Society Presentation Executive Director’s Report - Pete Madland Keynote Speaker – Marc Smith, vicepresident Patrón Spirits Member of the Year Award Attendance Drawing First Timer’s Orientation

www.tlw.org

12:00 PM to 5:00 PM Trade Show – KI Center Hall C Tournament for TIPAC - TBD

2:45 PM to 3:00 PM Exhibitor Booth Drawing (Exhibitor must be present to win.)

– Trade Show Area

12:00 PM to 4:00 PM Silent Auction for TIPAC – KI Center Lobby

3:30 PM to 4:30 PM District Caucuses: All held at same time in the Hyatt Conference Center 1st & 9th District – Hyatt – Room 5 A & B 2nd District – Hyatt – Room 2 3rd District – Hyatt – Auditorium 4th District – Hyatt – Room 4 5th District – Hyatt – Room 1 6th District – Hyatt – Room 3 7th District – Hyatt – Room 6 A & B 8th District – Hyatt – Room 7

1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Seminar – TBD - General Session Room 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM Seminar – TBD – General Session Room 8:00 PM to 1:00 AM Cocktail Party & Costume Contest Sponsored by Society Insurance - KI Center Hall B (General Session Room) Theme/Costume: Futuristic Attire Band: TBD 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM Live Auction – Proceeds to Direct Givers Fund

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Registration & $2 Bill Exchange – KI Center Lobby 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM General Business Meeting – KI Center Hall B Attendance Drawing President’s Remarks ABL Report – Bob Sprenger Legislative Report – Scott Stenger Good and Welfare Attendance Drawing 9:00 AM to 2:15 PM Silent Auction – KI Center Lobby 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM Trade Show – KI Center Exhibit Hall C Tournament for TIPAC - TBD 11:15 AM to 11:45 AM SafeRide Meeting – General Session Room

5:00 PM to 6:00 PM Cocktails with the President Sponsored

by Precision Pour and Patrón Spirits $20 Donation to TIPAC – Hotel Atrium

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 10, 2013 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM General Business Session – KI Center Hall B Attendance Drawing CORE Report– Brad Schinke Guest Speaker / Entertainer TBA Audit Committee Report Nomination Committee Report Parade of Candidates Membership Drawing Buyers Raffle Host League Drawing Good & Welfare President’s Closing Remarks DVD Presentation Attendance Drawing Retiring of Colors 12:00 PM Brown County President’s Reception Barry Fitzgerald Fitzgerald’s Irish Pub 1699 East Mason Street Green Bay, WI 54302-2735 (920) 393-4118

Note: Times and events are subject to change without notice.

2:00 PM to 2:45 PM Vendors Drawings (Attendees must be present to win.)

– Trade Show Area

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2013 fall convention preview

Auction Each year at the Fall Convention, members gather Tuesday evening for the TLW Live Auction.

The TLW Live Auction is one of the larger parties held during the four-day festivities and members have fun bidding, toasting and dancing! In addition to the Tuesday night function, members also have the opportunity to participate in the silent auction that runs Tuesday, Noon to 4:00 p.m. and Wednesday, 9:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

In the past, auction items have included travel packages, sports memorabilia, fine clothing, electronics, art and more! Auction Chairman Chris Marsicano helps coordinate the auctions that benefit the Direct Givers Fund and TIPAC. Donating an item is simple.

1. P lease fill out the form below and mail it to: Chris Marsicano 221 Inlet Shore Dr., Delavan, WI 53115 Email: c.marsicano@yahoo.com Cell: 262-745-4043 2. B ring your item to the registration booth upon arrival to the fall convention. •The auction committee decides if the item will go into the live or silent auction. •All items purchased at the auctions must be paid for by personal check, credit card or cash.

Thank you for your contributions!

AUCTION ITEM FORM

TLW 2013 Fall Convention

If your league or members will be bringing auction items to the Fall Convention, please complete the form below and send it to the Auction Chairman Chris Marsicano.

Donor (Individual name and League) Contact Person Phone (business)

(home)

Please describe the item(s) your members will be donating to the TLW auctions.

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Item:

Value:

Thank you for your participation!

Return this form by September 15, 2013 to Chris Marsicano, 221 Inlet Shore Dr., Delavan, WI 53115 22

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www.tlw.org

2013 fall convention preview

Member of the year The Tavern League of Wisconsin Member of the Year Award The award is presented annually to a deserving TLW member at the fall convention. Please take a moment to nominate a member who you feel is deserving of this award. The recipient is chosen based on service to the Tavern League of Wisconsin as well as service to community and family.

Many members are qualified to receive this award.

Complete the form and be sure to include any information such as local awards, media coverage, newspaper clippings, endorsements, references, etc. Please send nominations to the TLW office by September 15, 2013.

Last year’s Member of the Year was Chris Marsicano of The Village Supper Club, Delavan.

Nomination Form Name Business City, State, Zip Local League Please state why you feel this person should receive the TLW Member of the Year Award.

(Attach additional information and supporting documentation if necessary.)

Your information: Name Local League Phone Number Date

Thank you for submitting this entry. Please return to the TLW Office: 2817 Fish Hatchery Rd., Fitchburg, WI 53713. Deadline is September 15, 2013. www.tlw.org

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LEAGUE PROFILE WOOD county Tavern League

Wood

COUNTY LEAGUE

Wood County Tavern League officials from left: Betsy Tushkowski, secretary; Mike Tushkowski, trustee; Jim Simonis, trustee; Sharon Grosskreutz, president; Stan Sukow, vice president; Jen Lukaszewski, trustee; and Dave Sonnenberg, treasurer.

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ith about 85 members, Sharon Grosskreutz, president of the Wood County Tavern League is happy with the number of license holders in her county who have committed to the organization. But she wants them all.

“There are only a handful that aren’t members and we’re working on getting those to join,” says Grosskreutz, a long-time officeholder and owner of Square Bar, a 20-stool establishment in Wisconsin Rapids.

For now, getting those owners on board is a matter of making personal contact, but soon the Wood County Tavern League will start a new tactic: meet and greets. “We’ll invite all the license holders in the county to come to a certain place so they can see what it’s about and see if they’re interested in joining,” says Grosskreutz, who joined the TLW right after opening her place eight years ago. “We’re hoping to pick up a few who might be skeptical or don’t know what Tavern League is about.”

She actually got the idea from Tavern League of Wisconsin Executive Director Pete Madland, who told her at convention that the Shawano County Tavern League was going to give that tactic a try. “I immediately looked at Betsy, our secretary, and said that’s not a bad idea

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for us to do. With all of us being busy and having two jobs, it’s easier to invite people to one place than for us to step out and go someplace during the day.”

Wood County is located in Central Wisconsin, and its two largest cities are Marshfield and Wisconsin Rapids, with plenty of little towns in between.

While Grosskreutz is modest in saying “We just do our thing,” this league holds a number of events throughout the year, particularly in support of SafeRide and Pub Pilots, a complementary program to SafeRide.

One event is a poker run in the spring that culminates with a kickball tournament. About 50 or 60 people take books, she reports, and about a dozen finish the whole book; the last book featured 52 members. “Members like it because it gets people in their bars,” says Grosskreutz of the poker run.

The league also throws a Christmas party at the end of January, which is open to the public and has attracted as many as 280 partygoers. Money from raffles and other fundraisers at the party benefit SafeRide and Pub Pilots.

While the league has a core group of members who work on these events, they are also lucky to have former members willing to help out as well. “Tavern League is about camaraderie,” says Grosskreutz. “At any given moment, I can call and say ‘What do I do about this?’ We have a lot of members, past and present, who are very knowledgeable and just good friends.” TLW

In the summer, the Wood County Tavern League holds a golf outing that always offers a surprise ending: Volunteer fire departments are invited and of those that attend, two walk away with proceeds from the event. “It’s the luck of the draw for who shows up,” she says. “There are a couple that return every year.” www.tlw.org

Business Spotlight Skmo’s Place

Jim Simonis (Skmo) purchased Skmo’s Place, located in Rudolph, in 1972. A fixture on Main St. in Rudolph for over 100 years, Skmo’s once operated as the the Grandshaw Hotel, as shown in this 1902 photo.

F

or more than four decades, Jim Simonis has been holding down the fort at Skmo’s Place in Rudolph. “I bought it in 1972, opened up March 2,” recalls Simonis. “I’ve been in here 41 years, and it’s all been OK with me.”

Previously in the car business, Simonis bought the tavern, formerly called the Jolly Farmer, after the person he was working for went out of business. “I had never run a bar before, but I’d spent a lot of time in them,” says Simonis with a chuckle. “The tavern was for sale. The husband had passed, so I made his wife an offer and have been here ever since.”

Wanting to change the name from Jolly Farmer, Simonis says he originally struggled with what to call it. Then, a friend suggested he use his nickname, Skmo. “I knew no one else would have that name,” he says.

Originally a small place, Simonis expanded the bar in 1976 to bring in more people. The tavern can accommodate about 75 people, though he notes “it does get crowded in here once in a while.”

Simonis serves a regular crowd, though holidays and school breaks always bring www.tlw.org

new faces into his establishment. Skmo’s Place opens at 2 p.m. during the week, and noon on the weekends. Simonis still works Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday afternoons. For food, he just serves pizza, but he does offer snacks for his customers. On weekends, he gets cheese from the local Dairy State Cheese Factory in Rudolph.

“I might not do happy hour, but I do like to have snacks out for my people every day. I like to keep it simple.”

Skmo’s Place has a dart team, but pool is the more popular option, and Simonis runs eight-ball tournaments in the winter.

Simonis joined the Wood County Tavern League shortly after he opened his place.

“I opened in March and joined in April; it was at a meeting over at Arnie’s that used to be a community hall. Been in it ever since.”

In addition, he served as a trustee for about 15 or 20 years. Simonis is a longtime TLW member because he’s seen how important it has been for his business. “Tavern League is the place to be if you want to learn what’s going on. You learn who’s helping you and what they can do for you and you can do for them.”

What Simonis does in turn for the Wood County Tavern League is raise money for Pub Pilots and SafeRide. A donation canister at his tavern raises $50 to $75 a month for Pub Pilots and during the week, he runs a 50/50 raffle, with 50 percent going to the Tavern League.

“You’ve got to give a little, too,” he says.

Being in the business for more than 40 years, Simonis has seen many changes.

He’s seen the legal age go from 18 to 21.

The popularity of games like foosball and darts has risen and fallen, and laws have changed his business, just as it has for others.

“The last few years have gotten tough, but I’m pretty active yet. I’m my own boss and I do what I want to. It’s a good business to be in.” TLW Skmo’s Place Jim Simonis, Owner 1608 Main St., Rudolph 715-435-3592

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Charity Spotlight Pub pilots inc.

Pub Pilots Inc.

Safe Ride Home Program

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or years, the Tavern League of Wisconsin’s SafeRide program has been the “go-to” organization for getting patrons home safe after a night out. But Pub Pilots, which operates in Wisconsin Rapids and Marshfield, complements SafeRide by getting patrons’ cars home safe.

“It’s a service that gets you and your vehicle home,” explains Stan Sukow, owner of The Bar of Wisconsin Rapids and Pub Pilots coordinator. “We send out two people in the van; one is a paid employee of Pub Pilots and the other is a volunteer to take the customer’s vehicle home.”

A qualified charitable organization, Pub Pilots runs Thursday through Saturday in Wisconsin Rapids and Friday and Saturday in Marshfield, starting at midnight and going to 3 a.m. While the rides are free, Sukow reiterates that Pub Pilots is not a taxi service; drivers will only pick up patrons and their vehicles and take them home, not to another bar.

Pub Pilots was started by a Wisconsin Rapids police officer about five or six years ago, with a one-year grant from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. When the officer moved to Michigan, Sukow and Dave Sonnenberg, owner of Danny K’s Bar & Grille in Wisconsin Rapids, took over the organization.

“The thing of it is that people are always weary about getting a ride home and

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leaving their vehicle here,” says Sukow.

“It’s been very good business-wise. These guys are busy, driving all the time to get customers and their vehicles home.”

Volunteers have been recruited by word of mouth, says Sukow, and he’s been pleased with the response. Donations, he adds, are always welcome.

Pub Pilots is used in conjunction with SafeRide, and customers who have used it, reports Sukow, “Say it’s the best thing ever. Every time we’ve taken someone home, we’ve had a fantastic response.

They’re happy it’s there.”

“There’s nice demand. Pub Pilots is good for Wood County because it gets people home safely. In fact, it’s really for everyone’s safety, even those who are not drinking because it keeps the roads safer.

It’s just a safety issue all around,” says Sukow. “So anything people can do to support Pub Pilots would be great.” TLW

Funded strictly through donations, Pub Pilots offers free rides in its two vans, which were also donated. It employs three paid drivers and has six volunteers; Sukow and Sonnenberg also volunteer for Pub Pilots.

Pub Pilots, Inc. Stan Sukow, coordinator Pub Pilots Phone: 715-421-3000

“The gas and insurance comes out of our funds; that’s our biggest expense,” says Sukow.

In Wisconsin Rapids, Pub Pilots averages 25 to 30 rides during the weekend; in Marshfield, it’s 15 to 20.

There are contribution canisters available at local bars where customers can throw in their extra change and dollars to support the program. In addition, the Wood County Tavern League’s three annual fundraisers — Christmas party, kickball tournament and golf outing — all support Pub Pilots and SafeRide. The organization recently got a nice boost with a $1,000 donation from a memorial motorcycle ride. www.tlw.org

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Tee it Up with Your Peers at the 15th Annual Tavern League of Wisconsin State Golf Outing Monday, September 9, 2013 Deer Valley Golf Course, Barneveld.

Shotgun Start at Noon $100.00 per person includes: Golf Cart, Beverage Tickets, Lunch, Dinner, Awards

For more information and to register, visit www.tlw.org www.tlw.org

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Corporate Spotlight Capitol-Husting

Anheuser-Busch SILVER SPONSORS

what is being sold to the general public at liquor and grocery stores. “We are able to see what the average person is buying and translate that into what we can do for the bar owners,” he explains.

J

erry Zavorka, sales manager at Capitol-Husting Co. Inc., says the company has been an avid supporter of the Tavern League for many years and appreciates what the league and executive team are doing for the industry. “We’re proud to be a supporter of their causes, which in turn directly affect our business,” he adds.

Capitol-Husting, also known as Allstate Liquor and Wine Company in parts of the state, is still a Wisconsin family owned and operated company. The E.L. Husting Company was bought and merged with Capitol Liquor Company in 1965 and renamed Capitol-Husting. The Alevizos family joined the company in 1973, and today it employs more than 140 people in the state and also has a distribution branch in Nebraska.

Zavorka says that the establishments that haven’t adjusted drink selections, inventory or made changes to menus may be missing out on sales opportunities.

He says that BRONZE SPONSORS with a lot more chain restaurants coming to Wisconsin, the competition becomes more fierce. These venues traditionally have a record of successfully capitalizing on current trends.

One of these trends has been low-calorie alcohol, says Zavorka. A supplier to Capitol-Husting, Diageo, owns Smirnoff, which recently launched the Smirnoff Sorbet Light line. This low-calorie flavored vodka comes in raspberry pomegranate, mango passionfruit and lemon, which have done extremely well in establishments offering these types of drink, he says.

ments. “It has helped our customers,” he says. “We’ve had some great educational seminars on wine, vodka, tequila, etc.”

The company’s sales team is available to train the bar and waitstaff on whatever the establishment feels will help grow its sales and reputation as a place that truly understands the offerings it has. CapitolHusting’s No. 1 goal is to provide its customers with great service and brands.

Zavorka says that he encourages any Tavern League member to look at the company’s wine and spirit portfolio. He adds there are many brands to meet any person’s needs, including iconic wines such as Far Niente, Plump Jack, Gaja and Drouhin, to name a few. The largest selling spirits are Bacardi, Captain Morgan, Dewars and Bombay Gin, among others. Capitol-Husting is proud to be a supporter of the Tavern League and thankful for the advocacy work it does for the industry as a whole. TLW

Capitol-Husting Co. Inc. Jerry Zavorka 414-353-1000, ext. 269 The best way to mix it, Zavorka adds, is 12001 W. Carmen Ave. Wisconsin with simple club soda. The Amusement Sorbet Lights &Milwaukee, WI 53225 Music Operators, Inc. only have 78 calories per serving, and of www.capitol-husting.com

Zavorka says what keeps Capitol-Husting course club soda is calorie-free. “Throw in a competitive is its customer service. He exMake sure and thank these groups for their support, and encourage others not on the list to participate. Any business interested in joining s plains in today’s hectic world many of the lime wedge and you have a nice low-calorie the TLW office (608-270-8591) for our brochure that lists the benefits of the different categories. Remember “Support those who support us.” company’s accounts struggle to find the product that competes well with light beer,” he says. extra time to adjust their drink menus for seasonal offerings. To help ease that burden, Capitol-Husting prides itself on being Capitol-Husting employs two full-time www.tlw.org 2012 January/February O graphic artists and a print shop, which truly a true consultant for its clientele. “We’ve had a lot of success working with our ac- brings these services full circle. The company is able to print menus, banners and signs counts to help design a seasonal menu, but its customers need to promote the products. also a full-year beverage program,” he says.

“We can turn things around quickly,” he For example, in the summer the frozen or says. “Our customers can use that as a service to them.” on-the-rocks drinks have been popular, but in the winter, the menus transition toward He said that training has also been a large brown spirits and hot drinks. Zavorka enpart of the company’s focus for its clients. courages owners and general managers to With a traditionally high turnover rate pay attention to what’s trendy in the market as well. One way is pay attention to the of staff, training is imperative to keep television ads, but also collaborate with a the retail dollars on the table, he says. distributor that has statistical information The techniques of upselling and co-selling must be taught, especially to a large to back their advice. He says Capitol-Husnumber of young staff found in establishting obtains A.C. Nielsen register data to see

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www.tlw.org

PARTNERS IN PROGRESS MAJOR SUPPORTER OF STATE AND LOCAL TAVERN LEAGUES 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 Fall Convention & Show • Donor of Large Screen TV at TLW Spring Conference & 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

Wisconsin Amusement & Music Operators PO Box 250, Poynette, WI 53955-0250 T: 608.635.4316 | F: 608.635.4327 | E: wamomax@aol.com A complete list of WAMO members can be found on the web site.

Visit us at www.WAMO.net Hosts of the World’s Largest Dart Tournament & the Nation’s Largest Pool Tournament

www.tlw.org

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Featured Affiliates Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc. It’s been over seven decades since Samuel S. Benedict started his one-man commercial refrigeration business in Eau Claire, traveling a 100-mile radius to service not supermarkets – they didn’t exist yet — but locker plants and meat markets in the region. Now 75 years later, Samuel’s greatgrandsons, Luke and Tony, with their father, Tim, who serves as the company’s president, are proudly taking the company in new directions.

According to Luke, his grandfather and father greatly enhanced the company’s product and service offerings by venturing into the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) markets and eventually expanded offerings in the food service industry.

Mississippi River Distilling Company What started as casual conversations between two brothers has turned into a thriving business, creating home-grown, handmade spirits. Mississippi River Distilling Company owners Ryan and Garrett Burchette seized the opportunity to live their dream when the state of Iowa changed a law allowing tasting and purchasing of spirits from distilleries.

“We kind of joked about it [going into business] and thought this would be an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something. So we wrote a business plan, a bank got interested, and then we realized we were too far down the road for our wives to talk us out of it,” Ryan says with a laugh.

“My grandfather and dad saw an opportunity,” says Luke. “We were servicing HVAC equipment in area businesses and some of those customers also needed kitchen and food service equipment. The expansion really was about diversifying and being able to take care of our customers’ needs.”

Located on the banks of the Mississippi River, in the picturesque town of Le Claire, IA, also home to the TV show “American Pickers,” the distillery is geared toward tourism. “We thought if we were going to show people how spirits are made, we should make the process authentic,” explains Ryan. It’s what the Burchettes call “grain to glass.” And their company is one of only a handful in the U.S. using this distillation approach.

Benedict’s customer-base is wide-ranging and includes supermarkets, convenience stores, temperature- and humidity-controlled warehouses, restaurants, bars, schools, hospitals and prisons. Sales people and service technicians need to be knowledgeable about everything from walk-in coolers and deli equipment to ventilation systems and commercial furnaces.

The process begins by purchasing fresh grains that are grown and harvested within 25 miles of the distillery. “Every bottle is hand numbered,” says Ryan. “You can look up the batch notes on our website and find the name of the farmer that grew the grain, the day it was mashed, distilled and bottled. This showcases that from beginning to end, this is a local product.”

Once thoroughly trained in-house and out in the field, technicians are oncall 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, including holidays. Benedict’s service area encompasses 16 counties in west central Wisconsin. Luke explains they also have a preventative maintenance program set-up with primarily chain restaurants and convenience stores in seven Midwestern states.

According to Ryan this farm-to-table, grain-to-glass philosophy is resonating with their customers and has contributed to their success.

“We’re working through Johnson Brothers Liquor and Phillips Distributing in Wisconsin, but we’ve found when we talk with the actual retailer they appreciate the unique flavors that craft spirits can offer.”

Luke encourages anyone interested in learning about new or reconditioned food service equipment to visit the company’s 10,000-square-foot showroom. Just some of the items on display are ice machines, refrigerators and cooking equipment. In addition to what’s on the floor, Benedict has access to every component for furnishing a bar, including under-counter coolers, sinks, beer dispensing systems, fryers, ovens, dishwashers and ventilation systems. The Benedict staff also offers a project layout, design and installation service.

Although Mississippi River Distilling has only been in operation since 2010, they have an impressive product offering including Cody Road Bourbon, Cody Road Rye Whiskey, River Pilot Vodka, River Rose Gin, River Baron Artisan Spirit and seasonal spirits made in small batches.

Luke says the company has been a Tavern League of Wisconsin Affiliate Member for 14-15 years. “We feel strongly in that membership and we try to attend trade shows to get in front of Tavern League members.

This up and coming company has also been recognized for producing some of the world’s finest spirits. Three of Mississippi River Distilling Company’s products recently received top industry ratings at the 13th annual San Francisco World Spirits Competition.

And like many bars and taverns that are multi-generational operations, Luke says the Benedicts are proud of their 75 years of service to their customers and they look forward to continual growth and success.

Although the company is a newcomer to the Tavern League of Wisconsin, they’ve heard from retailers how important the Tavern League is in the state and how it supports its members and vendors. “We attended the fall 2012 conference in the Dells,” say Ryan. “Because there are only four of us [in the business], we can’t commit to attending a lot of conferences, but we’d like to again because it’s such great exposure for us.”

Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc. Mike Matteson 1003 Harlem St., Altoona, WI 54913 • 715-834-3191 mmatteson@benedictrefrigeration.com • www.benedictrefrigeration.com

Mississippi River Distilling Company Ryan Burchette 303 North Cody Rd., Le Claire, IA 52753 • 563-484-4342 info@mrdistilling.com • www.mrdistilling.com

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www.tlw.org

Dean’s Satellite Service Inc. Customer service is king in the hospitality industry. That’s why Dean’s Satellite Service is built around this basic, yet often times neglected business principle. Owner Dean Pennel and his staff know it’s essential for bars and restaurants to have a business partner they can trust when it comes to their satellite TV service provider.

“Customer service is our priority,” says Pennel. “We know what it’s like when you call for service and become just another number. Like our customers, we’re a small, family-run business. We aren’t a huge corporation; we aren’t a call center. You’ll always speak to someone at Dean’s because we understand that no one wants an interruption in service, which could impact their patron traffic.

Exceptional customer service is one reason Dean’s Satellite Service was named the 2011 DirecTV Dealer of the Year for the entire nation. In addition, Pennel firmly believes in the product his company is installing.

“I’ve been in business for over 18 years and we’ve been selling DirecTV C for a good portion of those years, and I can say the entire DirecTV M experience is one that bar and tavern owners can really benefit from.”

Y

Senior Area Sales Manager for DirecTV Ryan Burke concurs. “We canCMsee a correlation between adding DirecTV to a bar or tavern and additional MY revenue to their bottom line. For example, DirecTV is the only satellite CY TV service provider offering the NFL Sunday Ticket, which broadcasts CMY every out-of-market game every Sunday. We can show that if a bar gets the NFL Sunday Ticket, the average customer will spend approximately $30 K in their establishment, whether for food or beverages.”

Additionally, DirecTV supports its commercial customers with its MVP marketing program. Bars and taverns receive coasters, window decals, even sidewalk stands to help encourage patron traffic. Burke says if a bar owner orders DirecTV through Dean’s Satellite Service, their business also receives a free listing on the DirecTV Bar Finder App for smartphones.

Dean’s Satellite Service has offices in Sparta and La Crosse, but Pennel says his company covers the entire state for TLW members. “We have installers we utilize in other parts of the state so we have the capability to cover the entire state for league members.” Pennel adds his company can meet and sometimes beat DirecTV’s pricing. “We also can offer a thorough analysis of how DirecTV can be a good fit for each business.”

Although a relative new TLW affiliate member, Pennel and Burke understand the importance of local bars and taverns to Wisconsin’s economy. They are also well aware of DirecTV’s presence in the large chain bars and restaurants in the state and want to help neighborhood and smaller establishments be competitive with these places. “You can get the DirecTV experience at a non-chain, local place,” says Burke. “It’s easy, just give us a call.”

Dean’s Satellite Service Inc. Dean Pennel, president; Ryan Burke, senior area sales manager for DirecTV 2350 Commercial Dr., Sparta, WI 54656 • 888-687-0166 www.directvdealer.com/wisconsin/sparta-deans-satellite/ www.tlw.org

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Legislative Notes Lowering the BAC Targeting responsible consumption

By Scott Stenger, Stenger Government Relations

Wisconsin Alcohol-related Fatalities (A decline of 33.2 percent from 2007 - 2011)

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n Milwaukee County last year there were 159 deaths caused by illegal drug overdose. Most of the fatalities were the result of an overdose of heroin or cocaine; a very sad trend that is on the rise in southeast Wisconsin. Surrounding counties experienced 22 fatalities from heroin and cocaine overdose last year. In 2012, in a five-county region in southeast Wisconsin, there were 181 deaths caused by illegal drug overdose.

Most people in Wisconsin are not aware of the alarming increase in fatalities involving illegal drugs. There has been very little media or legislative focus on attempting to address this tragic situation. Nearly as many people died from an illegal drug overdose in just five counties as from alcohol-related traffic deaths in the entire state.

In 2011 there were 225 alcohol-related deaths on Wisconsin roads. Any number of alcohol-related fatalities is too high, but the trend over the past five years shows a nearly 35 percent reduction in alcohol-related fatalities in Wisconsin. More needs to be done to ensure that number continues to shrink, but it is important to note that positive steps have been taken over the last five years resulting in fewer alcohol-related fatalities on Wisconsin highways. In fact, in May 2013, Wisconsin recorded the fewest number of fatalities in its history. This despite there are more automobiles registered, driving more

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National Alcohol-related Fatalities (A decline of 39 percent from 2000 - 2010)

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16,792

16,000 15,000 14,000 13,000 12,000 11,000 10,228

10,000

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www.tlw.org

Legislative Notes miles than there were 20 years ago: more cars driving more miles and fewer deaths.

Nationally there has been a 39 percent decline in alcohol related fatalities between 2000 and 2010. Despite this downward national trend, the National Traffic Safety Board recently called for states to lower their blood alcohol content (BAC) level from 0.08 percent to 0.05 percent. (An average-size woman can reach 0.05 percent after one glass of wine.) Their proposal was rejected by many in the law enforcement community and Mothers Against Drunk Driving did not support the call to lower the BAC level to 0.05 percent.

Nationally, over 70 percent of drunk-driving fatalities are caused by drivers with BACs of 0.15 or higher (consumption of 6-7 drinks), and the average BAC of a drunk driver involved in a fatal crash is 0.16 percent – twice the current legal limit.

In 2011 there were over 32,000 U.S. traffic fatalities from all causes (the most recent year for data), and less than one percent of those were due to drivers with BAC levels between 0.05 and 0.08 percent.

While many have criticized the NTSB 0.05 percent proposal, there have been a number of newspaper editorials supporting the 0.05 percent proposal including The New York Times, San Jose Mercury News, Star-Tribune, St. Louis Post Dispatch, Baltimore Sun and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The Tavern League of Wisconsin and our national association, the American Beverage Licensees, are taking this proposal very seriously and will help to coordinate a state and national coalition to oppose any effort on the state or federal level to establish a BAC level of 0.05 percent. It is critical we all work together on this issue.

Now is the time to join together as like-minded businesspeople in the hospitality industry and to educate the public, your friends, neighbors, patrons and elected officials on this important issue. Take the time to ask a non-member to join the TLW and help us in our campaign to defeat 0.05 percent at the state and federal levels.

Many non-members often ask: “What will the TLW do for me?” Now is the time for TLW members to ask those non-members: “What will you do to help defeat 0.05 percent?” Join the Tavern League of Wisconsin today to make your voice heard on this and other issues of importance to the hospitality industry in Wisconsin. TLW Visit www.tlw.org for more information.

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Accounting Help Planning for Profit

By Kimberly Ruef, CPA

• Fixed Costs • Costs that vary with sales volume • Costs directly related to labor Projecting Your Profit Margin

Your fixed costs will be a dollar amount, and will be expected to stay the same regardless of increases in sales. An example of this calculation is:

I

n today’s economic environment, it is more important than ever to be very deliberate in your financial decisions. The need to understand how a change in one factor affects your bottom line has never been greater.

This article is intended to help you gather the information necessary to determine what your markup or gross margin needs to be to achieve your desired profit.

Know What It Costs to Open the Doors First things, first: Start by determining what it costs to open the doors each day (fixed and variable overhead). This includes your fixed costs (rent, liability insurance, interest and depreciation), as well as minimum staffing levels and managers’ salaries.

Know What Variable Expense You Have

Many expenses can be expected to vary with sales volume. The most obvious of these is the cost of goods sold. Labor (above minimum levels) is another. In addition, consider credit card discounts, bar supplies and rent (if you have a percentage rent clause).

• Rent expense - $60,000 • Manager Salary - $40,000 • Minimum Staffing - $25,000 • Liability Insurance - $1,500 • Other Fixed Expenses - $75,000 Total - $201,500 No matter whether sales are $1 or $500,000, we expect this number to remain constant.

You can project your variable labor costs based on current tax rates and workers’ compensation rates. For employee benefits, you would project based on your best guess or historical results. This will be a percentage value. A very basic operation might have the following: • • • •

FICA/Medicare – 7.65 percent Federal Unemployment - 0.6 percent WI Unemployment – 3.6 percent Workers’ Compensation – 2.5 percent Total – 7.17 percent

We’ll assume that our variable labor costs are 20 percent of sales (including the 7.17 percent labor “burden” costs), and our other variable expenses are 5 percent of sales.

Costs that vary with labor costs include payroll taxes (FICA/Medicare/Federal Unemployment, State Unemployment), workers’ compensation and employee benefits.

Based on your pricing methods, you can project your cost of goods sold (COGS) percentage. In our example, we’ll assume that you expect your cost of goods sold percentage to average 35 percent (and you price your menu accordingly).

Separate Your Costs into Categories

OK, Now What?

Ideally, each item on your income statement would be put into one of the following categories:

Now that you’ve identified your fixed and variable costs, you can determine the amount of sales you need to break-even

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or to realize a target profit percentage, as follows: Total fixed costs - $201,500 Variable cost percent - 60 percent (35 percent COGS + 20 percent variable labor costs + 5 percent other variable costs) We subtract the 60 percent from 100 percent and divide our fixed costs by the remainder (40 percent) to determine our break-even sales volume of $503,750. If we desire a 15 percent profit margin, we would add that to the 60 percent variable cost (75 percent total variable cost including profit). We would need $806,000 of sales to produce our 15 percent ($120,900) profit.

Once we have this information, we can predict what changes in any of the factors will do to our profit. For example, if we changed our pricing model so that cost of goods sold was 30 percent instead of 35 percent, we would have to produce $671,667 of sales to reach our desired 15 percent profit level instead of $806,000.

If instead we desire a fixed profit of $100,000, we would add that desired profit number to our fixed expenses for purposes of our calculation. In order to realize a $100,000 profit if our COGS is at 35 percent, our labor at 20 percent, and our other variable expenses are at 5 percent, we would need to have sales of $753,750 (($201,500+100,000)/.40). If we could get our COGS down to 30 percent, we’d only need $670,000 to realize that same $100,000 profit. TLW Kimberly Ruef, CPA is a partner with Wegner LLP, CPAs & Consultants and Wegner Payroll Group with offices in Madison, Baraboo, and Pewaukee. She has been providing accounting and tax services to businesses and business owners for over 20 years.

Phone: (608) 274-4020 Email: kim.ruef@wegnercpas.com

www.tlw.org

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Manitowoc Countypetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appe DeVere Company, Inc. | Janesville, WI Tavern League ers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizer Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Ap Oconto County izers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetize www.DeVereChemical.com Tavern League !!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A tizers!!!AppAppetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!App zers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetize !Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A Quik-n-crispy Auto Fry Mti-5 tizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetiz Greaseless Fryers #G2 120v No Need for Hoods or Vents! !!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A New $4095.00 New $8995.00 Annual etizers!!!AppAppetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Ap Reconditioned $2200.00 Reconditioned $6995.00 Membership Levels izers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetize Also Available: !!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A Anets silverline #14 Gas Fryer Platinum tizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetiz 90k BTU 40lb $1,000 Annual Membership Level !!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A New $931.00 etizers!!!AppAppetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Ap Gold Vollrath electric Fryers izers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetize $500 Annual Membership Level 10lb $445.00 !!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A 15lb $679.00 Silver tizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetiz Ascraft Heated Display cabinets $250 Annual Membership Level !!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A #HD-26 $645.00 etizers!!!AppAppetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Ap #HD-36 $749.00 For more information on becoming izers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetize Delivery within 150 miles a Special Club Member, call the TLW larger models available in the Autofry and Quick-N-crispy line office at 800-445-9221 !!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A contact Doug Helnore - munchboxandmunchiehut@yahoo.com - (262)206-5115 tizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetiz !!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!Appetizers!!!A www.tlw.org etizers!!!App july/August 2013 On Premise 35 www.tlw.org 2012

Door County Tavern League

800-833-8373

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New Members TLW New Members April 9, 2013 to June 3, 2013 District 1 Kenosha City Local Folks Restaurant & Pub Jennifer J. Collison Burlington Kenosha Country Club David Bressler Kenosha Racine City Neighborhood Bar Of Racine Slobodan Lazarevic Racine JQ Foxes Bar & Grill Mari Christensen Sturtevant

Friends Rick Kluge Genoa City District 2 Columbia County Big Willys William Whittaker Portage

On Premise

Madison/Dane County The Frequency Darwin R. Sampson Madison Kegonsa Cove Henryetta and Thomas DuFoe Mc Farland Waukesha County Generations At 5 Points Ltd. Kathy L. Oberholtzer Waukesha

District 3 Crawford County Pine Tree Inn Chester Barr Prairie Du Chien

The Good Stuff Catherine Mael Portage

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Ozaukee County Lake Church Inn Steve Motta Belgium The Dawg House LLC Eric Kocher Waubeka

Tina’s S & R Mirage Inc. Christina Lapp Wausau

Sheboygan County Zodiak Bar & Grill Night Moves Inc. Sheboygan

The Speakeasy Brandon Jesse James Weston

Monroe County The Bunker Becky Dingman Sparta

The Lincoln Pub Ray Preuss Waukesha

Sky High Camping Resort Eric and Barbara Anderson Portage

Elk’s Lodge #1460 BPO Elks 1460 Platteville

Marathon County Halfmoon Bar & Grill Heather Nowak Mosinee

Barrel House LLC Kelly Storrm Juneau

The Heron’s Landing Mike Soleska Jefferson

Walworth County Castaways MB Ltd. Matt Bruggeman Delavan

Oshkosh City Peabody’s Ale House Ryan Tuskowski Oshkosh

Juneau County Portofino Bay Shane Costello Mauston

Jefferson County Harder’s Bar Steve Streich Jefferson

South Central Cash’s Old Smokey’s Larry Gordon Monroe

Grant/Iowa County Yesterdaze II Nicole Grattan Beetown

Dodge County Stooges Sports Bar Philip and Jerra Gradel Beaver Dam

The Wetlands Steve Commo Theresa

Rock County Time Out Pub & Eatery Brian Cherry Janesville

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Schoepp’s Cottonwood Resort Dale and Lynda Schoepp Sauk City

The Quickhappy LLC Jonathon Demet Lowell

Racine County Hilltop Pub & Eatery JRSB LLC Waterford

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Tolly’s Alley’s Brian R. Tollison Portage

july/august 2013

The Point Jane Donaldson Tomah Sauk County B & D’s Donna and Brad Luce Baraboo Chasers Donna and Brad Luce Baraboo J’s Pub & Grill Jayson Pettit Reedsburg

Washington County Hartford VFW Post 8834 James A. Lofy Hartford Lombardi’s Sport Bar & Grill Shelly Heller Slinger Riverhorse West Chad Goeman West Bend District 5

Edge O’ Dells Sonya D. Duarte Wisconsin Dells Otto’s Supper Club Otto’s Wisconsin Dells District 4 Calumet County 7 Corners Lynn Rabe New Holstein Manitowoc County Strike Zone LLC Glenn Beattie New Holstein Bottoms Up Donald H. Whetung Maribel Pickled Beet Charlene M. Rabenhorst Maribel

Adams County Rg’s Antler Ridge LLC Robin Gayton Friendship Scooters Patrick and Mary Cotter Wisconsin Dells Green Lake Area CaddyShack Golf Courses of Lawsonia Green Lake Langlade County Headquarters 2 Tiffany Boldig Antigo Quig’s Maplewood Golf Course Alan & Amy Quig Pickerel

Porcupine Pub Don and Brian Borndt Wausau

Marquette County Johnny T’s Sports Bar & Grill John Timm Merrill Portage County La Pachanga Mexican Grill Roberto Nunez Plover Bruisers Night Club Timothy L. Schertz Stevens Point Shawano County Groucho’s II Inc. Dave Marcks Krakow Waupaca County Mike’s Saloon Mike Hohensee Clintonville Neighbors Bar & Grill Bruce Rhode Shawano Waushara County Goodtimes Pub & Grill Richard L. Decker Redgranite District 6 Brown County Cafe Chanson Laura McInerney De Pere Friends Bar & Grill Terri M. Senn Green Bay

My Bar Amy Stevenson Green Bay Nfusion Pub Juan Maldonado Green Bay Timsan’s Japanese Steakhouse Timothy Long Green Bay Forest County Armstrong Creek Pub Robert Laurence Armstrong Creek Kewaunee County Gib’s on the Lake Mark & Mary Weston Kewaunee Oconto County Happy Jacks II Brad Gagnon &.

Amy Coopman Oconto Falls Outagamie County Appleton Downtown Inc. Jennifer Stephany Appleton Riehl Stop Tami Riehl Hortonville Lazy Dog Sports Bar & Grill Terry Geurts Kaukauna District 7 Chippewa County Double D Saloon Dennis Zais Boyd Good Times Pub Dale Trippler Boyd Maple Hill Randy Nye, Jr. Boyd Last Call Randy W. Nye, Sr. Cadott Big T’s North Terry Luer Cornell www.tlw.org

New Members Twilite Zone Susan Kiraly Stanley Clark County Time Flies Bar & Grill LLC Kristy Erdman Curtiss

Polk County Alibi Bar Jamie Werle Amery Doc’s Pub & Eatery Kevin Irwin Balsam Lake

Eau Claire City/ County Buddha’s Bar LLC Mitch Balliett Augusta

St Croix County M&M Mike and Marilyn Wheeler Glenwood City

Trails Edge Saloon Debra Pepin Augusta

The Fort Bar & Grill John Weddle Glenwood City

Hallie Bar & Grille Bruce Jensen Chippewa Falls Brickhouse Pub & Grub LLC Mark Anderson Eau Claire Chicken Chasers Bar & Grill LLC Allan and Tania Roberts Fall Creek Foster Bar & Grill Shawn G. Holden Osseo Jackson County Rozarios Pizza and Pasta LLC Randall A. Molini Black River Falls Pepin County Canton Club Richard T. Doerr Mondovi Seymore’s Northside Bar & Grill Steven Tomfohrde Mondovi Pierce County Danny Dunn’s Krista Melstrom East Ellsworth Waverly’s Full Throttle Saloon LLC Ruth Sinz Elmwood Exile Bar Natecia Plum City

J.J.’s Sports Bar & Grill Jesse Penmann Hammond The Outer Limits Mary Manske New Richmond District 8

District 9

Superior/Douglas County Shorty’s Pizza & Smoked Meat Brian Noel Superior

Oneida County Lake George Campsite Carmen Tank Rhinelander Price County American Legion Post 182 Wayne Park Falls

Vilas County Sundown Tavern James & Anne Tilt Conover

Prentice Pines Golf Course Prentice Area Optimists Prentice

Washburn County American Legion Post 379 Bemis-Hunter Post Birchwood

Sawyer County Big Musky Diane Collins Hayward

Becky’s Food & Spirits David Semm Shell Lake

Stone Lake Pub Randy Patko Stone Lake

Northwoods Lanes & Lounge Michael Miller Spooner

Milwaukee County Hospitality Friends on Forest Home Jeff H. Grundy Greenfield B & B Tap Patricia Westphal Milwaukee Club Brady Michael Lee Milwaukee Hosed on Brady Inc. Donna R. Olson Milwaukee Irish Genie Kyle Johnson Milwaukee J & B’s Blue Ribbon Bar & Grill Bob Schindel Milwaukee

Flambeau Forest Inn LLC Antoinette L. Slack Winter

Lucky Joes Tiki Room Lee Guk Milwaukee Nick’s Anvil Inn Nancy Tribbey Milwaukee Salas Groceries LLC Juan P. Salas Milwaukee Swigs Pub & Grill Theresa & Chris Brown Milwaukee Victor’s Again Maria Cobian Oak Creek Slick Willy’s Mike & Patty Jo Oren South Milwaukee J. Beans Pub Jason or Jill Powelski West Allis

Ashland/Bayfield County Oredock Saloon Susan Scribner Ashland Snow Creek Bar & Grill Todd and Sue Scribner Mellen

FO AD IN

Burnett County Devils Lake Park Resort Jeffrey A. Bump Webster

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Greater Northwoods Miners Bar & Grill Troy Colwell Gile Yukon II Diane Ames Hurley Springstead Lake Lodge Springstead Lodge Park Falls Lakeland Area Ryden’s Timbers Debra Ryden Minocqua

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CALL 1-800-435-2816 FOR TLW DISCOUNTS!

ORDER ONLINE AT www.POSI-POUR.com www.tlw.org

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Affiliate Members TLW AFFILIATE MEMBERS as of June 14, 2013 Ackley Novelty Inc.

D & D Amusement Games LLC Dean Health Plan

J/R Ice & Refrigeration Repair LLC

Pinkerton Solutions LLC

Advanced Draft Solutions LLC Affiliated Investment Group

Dean’s Satellite

JBM Amusements

Delafield Brew Haus

Johnson Brothers Beverage

Portesi Italian Foods Inc.

Airgas National Carbonation Alliance Insurance Centers LLC

DeVere Company Inc.

Johnson Dist. Inc.

Allied Games Inc.

Dierks Waukesha

JP Graphics Inc.

Allied Insurance Centers Inc.

Dining Publications LLC

Just in Time Refrigeration LLC

Qpondog Text Message Marketing Specialists

American Entertainment Services Inc.

DISCUS

JustISolutions

Racine Amusement Inc.

Disher Insurance Services

Red’s Novelty Ltd.

American Income Life

DJ D-Train

Kavanaughs Restaurant Supplies Keg-Stands LLC

Reinhart Food Service LLC

American Welding & Gas Amusement Devices Inc. Appleton Night Out.com LLC Audio Excitement B & K Bar & Restaurant Supplies B-M Music & Games Bar Owner Marketing Systems Baraboo Sysco Food Services Baraboo Tent & Awning BarsGuru Enterprises LLC Bartelt Insurance Services Bay Tek Games Bay Towel/Linen Rental

Edge One Inc. El Cortez Hotel & Casino Electro-Kold Corporation

Kessenich’s Ltd. KevCorp International

Emil’s Pizza Inc.

KLB Insurance ServicesIllinois Casualty

Energy Distributing

Kobussen Buses Ltd.

Engels Commercial Appliance Inc.

Lamers Bus Lines

Fabiano Brothers Firehouse Pizza Flanigan Distributing Fleming’s Fire I Flipside Coin Machines Inc. Foremost Business Systems

Lebby’s Frozen Pizza Lee Beverage Of Wisconsin LLC LodgeVision (formerly Star Connection)

Plunkett’s Pest Control Precision Pours Inc. Pub Passports

Reindl Printing Riverside Foods Inc. S & S Distributing Inc. Saloons N Spoons/Turbo Chemical Sam’s Amusement Co. Sam’s Club Sanimax USA Inc. Saratoga Liquor Co. Inc. Schmidt Novelty Serralles USA

M & R Amusements & Vending LLC

Service Specialists

Magnuson Industries Inc.

SniffIt LLC

Mass Appeal Specialties Inc.

Slack Attack Communications

Beechwood Distributors Inc.

Freistadt Alte Kameraden Band

Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc.

Friebert, Finerty & St. John, S.C.

MBA Corp.

Special Olympics Wisconsin Inc.

Meyer Brothers LLC

Stansfield Vending Inc.

Best Bargains

Game Management Corp.

Micro Matic

Stevens Point Brewery

Bevinco

Games Are Us Inc.

Mid-Oak Distillery

Stinky Gringo Margarita Inc.

Big Daddy Games LLC

General Beer – Northeast Inc.

Midstate Amusement Games

Superior Beverages LLC

Big Game Sports Cards/ Sterling Graphics

Glavinsured Agency Inc.

Midwest Amusements

Superior Vending

Bill’s Distributing Ltd.

Great Lakes Amusements

Midwest Coin Concepts Of WI

Swanel Beverage Inc./Banzai

Great Lakes Beverage

Milwaukee Brewers

Tamarak Design’s

Great Northern Amusements

Milwaukee Bucks

Think Ink & Design

Guardian Pest Solutions Inc.

This Drinks on Us LLC

Gunderson Linen

Mississippi River Distilling Company

Gustave A Larson Company

Mitchell Novelty Co.

Happy Tap

Modern Cash Register Systems

Toccata Gaming International LLC

Blue Honey Bio-Fuels Inc. BMI (Broadcast Music Inc.) Bob Schuchardt Insurance Boelter Companies Bromak Sales Inc. Buy Right Purchasing Group LLC Capital Bankcard Capital Brewery Cardtronics USA

Heartland Payment Systems Heartland Payment Systems

Moy, Borchert, Erbs & Associates LLP

Hiawatha Chef, Bar and Janitorial Supply

Murphy Desmond S.C.

Holiday Wholesale Inc.

Cash Depot Central Ceiling Systems Inc. Century Services

Hospitality Services Corp.

Huebsch Services Hyer Standards

Chambers Travel Cintas Corporation

Ideal Ad & Sportswear

National Chemicals Inc. Nei -Turner Media Group Inc. New Glarus Brewing Co. Northern Lakes Amusement

Ticket King Inc.

Total Register Systems Tri-Mart Corporation Tricky Dick & Joyce Specialty US Foodservice Vern’s Cheese Inc. Vital Tokens Wausau Coin Machines Inc.

Northwest Coin Machine Co.

West Suburban Insurance Agency

Office Supplies 2 U Inc.

WI Hospitality Insured

Omega Processing Solutions

Wil-Kil Pest Control

Coffee Express Inc.

Independent Insurance Services Inc.

Cornerstone Processing Solutions Inc.

Indianhead Foodservice Dist. Inc.

Original Ovenworks Pizza

Wine Institute

Paradise Printing Company

Corporate Casuals & Promotional Products

Insphere Insurance Solutions

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps

Park Ridge Distributing Inc.

J T Advertising

Wordbyphone.com

Pehler Distributing Inc.

County Wide Extinguisher Inc.

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Straight up

Recipes Daiquiri

1 1 /2 oz. White Rum 1 oz. Lime Juice 1 Tbsp. White Sugar

Ice to Fill Glass

Fill a short glass with ice. In a shaker combine all ingredients. Shake and strain into the glass.

Planter’s Punch 1 /2 oz. Dark Rum 1 /2 oz. Lime Juice 1 /2 oz. Lemon Juice 1

3 oz. Orange Juice 1 tsp. White Sugar Dash of Grenadine

Ice to Fill Glass Fill a tall glass with ice. In a shaker combine all ingredients. Shake and strain into the glass.

Cuba Libre

1 /2 oz. Dark Rum Juice of Half a Lime

Cola to Fill 1

Fill a tall glass with ice. Add all ingredients, stir and garnish with lime shell.

Hurricane 2 oz. Light Rum 2 oz. Dark Rum 2 oz. Passion Fruit Juice 1 oz. Orange Juice Juice of a Half a Lime 1 Tbsp. Simple Syrup 1 Tbsp. Grenadine Orange Slice and Cherry for Garnish Squeeze juice from half a lime into cocktail shaker over ice. Pour remaining ingredients into the cocktail shaker and shake well. Strain into a hurricane glass and garnish with a cherry and an orange slice.

Mai Tai 1 oz. Light Rum 1 oz. Dark Rum 1 /2 oz. Lime Juice 1 /2 oz. Orange Curacao 1 /2 oz. Orgeat Syrup Maraschino Cherry for Garnish Pour all the ingredients except the dark rum into a shaker with ice cubes and shake well. Strain into an oldfashioned glass half filled with ice.

Top with the dark rum and garnish with cherry www.tlw.org

Rum in the Summertime

F

inally summer is here and the days of cold and snow are a distant memory. What better time than July and August to add a few tropical cocktails, featuring rum and the refreshing flavors of summer, to your menu.

There are a wide variety of rums to choose from — light, dark, gold, spiced, flavored — each has its own distinct taste. The one thing they all have in common, however, is sugar cane and it’s that ingredient that distinguishes rum from other liquors. The sweet juices from the sugar cane are turned into molasses and this syrup is then fermented into rum.

Some spirits are bottled directly from the still, but most distillers age a portion of their rum in oak barrels. What separates one rum from another is the production method and processes.

It’s thought the first rum was produced in Brazil, Barbados and Jamaica some time after Christopher Columbus brought sugar cane from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean in 1493. By 1789, George Washington was fond enough of rum from Barbados to demand a barrel of it for his inaugural party.

The centuries-old flavor of rum can be found in these classic cocktail recipes. It’s summertime, give your customers a taste of the tropics!

Cheers! TLW july/August 2013

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Local League updates TLW Members Attend ABL Conference Representatives of the TLW attended the American Beverage Licensees Annual Conference, June 9-11, in Washington, D.C. Members heard public officials, industry leaders and experts discuss policy and business issues facing beverage retailers.

Tavern League of Wisconsin members were well represented in Washington, D.C. Seated from left: Chris Marsicano, senior vice president; Patti Marsicano; Mary Salverson; Dennis “Salvo” Salverson, 1st district director; and Terry Harvath, president. Standing: Bubba Sprenger, central zone vice president, 2nd and 5th districts; Pete Madland, executive director; Jan Hunter; and Bill Hunter, past president.

This year’s Brown-Forman Retailer of the Year Award was presented to Chris Marsicano of the Village Supper Club, Delavan. Shown at left are: David Jabor, ABL past president and conference chair, Chris and Patti Marsicano, and Chuck Ferrar, ABL outgoing president.

fundraiser for fitzgerald Members of the Jefferson County Tavern League recently attended a fundraiser for state Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald (R-Juneau).

Pictured from left: Rep. Joel Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc); Erick Frommgen, president Jefferson County Tavern League; Lori Frommgen, TLW central zone vice-president, 2nd and 5th districts; Steve Hepp, TLW 2nd district director; and Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch.

Sen. Scott Fitzgerald gathers with Tavern League members during a fundraiser in his honor. Shown with the senator are: Sue Hepp, Steve Hepp, TLW 2nd district director and Rep. John Jagler (R-Watertown).

joint district 1 & 9 golf outing

The Kenosha City and Kenosha County Tavern Leagues hosted a golf outing at Twin Lakes Country Club for 1st and 9th district TLW members on Monday, May 20. The four-person scramble included good friends, food and loads of fun. This year, for a $10 donation, participants’ names were written on golf balls and dropped from a helicopter. Through all events, the 1st and 9th districts raised over $20,000 for their charities.

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www.tlw.org

Advertiser Index Great Lakes Amusement

Benedict Refrigeration Service Inc. www.benedictrefrigeration.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Cornerstone Processing Solutions www.cornerstoneps.net . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Diageo www.diageo.com.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Dierks Waukesha www.waukeshafoods.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 DirecTV www.directv.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Dish Network www.dish.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Disher Insurance Services www.disherinsurance.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Edge One www.edgeone.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

CHERRY MASTER – VIDEO POKER NEW LCD SLIM DESIGNS COIN PUSHERS – REPLACEMENT PARTS

WE CARRY ALL THE NEWEST GAMES Affiliate Tavern League Member

Green Bay, WI • 877-354-7544 www.GlaStore.com

Promotional Products 1000’S OF ITEMS FOR YOUR ADVERTISING PENS • CALENDARS • APPAREL • BAR TOKENS

Golf Outing Gift Specials Newton Mfg. Rep. – Jim Flynn Janesville 608-758-3470 or cell 608-201-2055 Email: jimsspecialties@yahoo.com Website: www.newtonmfg.com/jimflynn

Engels Commercial Appliance www.engelsinc.om. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Great Lakes Amusement www.glastore.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Jim’s Specialties www.newtonmfg.com/jimflynn. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Magnuson Industries Inc. www.posi-pour.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Great Profits Employee Incentive Program More Info: 414-217-1731 www.wimlkcaps.com

MillerCoors www.millercoors.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Munch Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Riverside Foods www.riversidefoods.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Sanimax USA Inc. www.sanimax.com. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Smoke Check www.smokecheck.org . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 Sysco Food Service of Baraboo www.baraboosysco.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Advertise in

On Premise the official publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin

WAMO www.wamo.net. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps www.wimilkcaps.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Wisconsin Wine & Spirit Institute . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Contact:

Louise Andraski, Account Executive Direct: 608-873-8734 Fax: 262-245-2000 NEI-TURNER MEDIA GROUP

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