On Premise November December 2021

The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 TLW.ORG

Grappling with Rising Prices ALSO INSIDE: 2021 TLW Fall Convention & Trade Show Summary On Target with Gun Raffles

MAJOR SUPPORTER of

State and Local Tavern Leagues

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

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

WISCONSIN AMUSEMENT & MUSIC OPERATORS PO Box 259506 Madison, WI 53725 www.WAMO.net

608.709.1960 608.824.2205 E amanda@wamo.net P F

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

Hosts of the World’s Largest Dart Tournament & the Nation’s Largest Pool Tournament.

The Official Publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021 VOLUME 39, NO. 6

FEATURES 2021 TLW FALL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW SUMMARY. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 TLW members descended upon Appleton for the 2021 TLW Fall Convention & Trade Show, with the Outagamie County Tavern League leading as convention host.

GRAPPLING WITH RISING PRICES. . . . . . . . 14 As supply chains are stretched thin, bars and taverns are facing shortages and contending with escalating costs.

7

SAFERIDE SAVES LIVES. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 A model for the nation, this innovative program has been offering safe rides home for more than three decades.

ON TARGET WITH GUN RAFFLES. . . . . . . . . 18 As gun popularity surges, tavern owners can enhance how they give back to the community by running a successful raffle.

LEAGUE SPOTLIGHTS LEAGUE PROFILE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Washington County

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Sports Corner Bar & Grill

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

16

Washington County Dive Team

LEAGUE LEADER SPOTLIGHT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 David Morey

DEPARTMENTS President’s Perspective. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Corporate Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 ABL Dispatch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Accounting on Tap. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Legislative Notes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 By the Book. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Corporate Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Featured Affiliates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 New Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Affiliate Members. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Industry Trends. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33 Advertiser Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

SOCIALIZE WITH US

www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

3

PRESIDENT Keith Kern

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT Cathy Vales

SECRETARY Erin Pulaski

Contact us for all of your insurance needs!

Business Insurance, Personal Insurance & Employee Benefits 888 State Hwy. 153, Mosinee WI 54455

715.693.2100

TREASURER Todd Giraud

SOUTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Dan Taivalkoski

SOUTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Keith Koehler

EASTERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Tim "Tippy" Tomchek

EASTERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT We provide a variety of different product and service offerings. Contact Ansay & Associates for more information.

Terri "Sassy" Buman

CENTRAL ZONE VICE PRESIDENT Paul Salzwedel

CENTRAL DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Lori Frommgen

NORTHERN ZONE VICE PRESIDENT MedPro

RiskPro

Umbrella Elevator

Risk Management & Claims Advocate

Donn “Dino” Amundson

NORTHERN DISTRICT VICE PRESIDENT Nancy Lorbetske

PAST PRESIDENT Chris Marsicano

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

MANAGING EDITOR

SPECIAL CLUB MEMBERSHIP PLATINUM CLUB MEMBERS 5TH DISTRICT TAVERN LEAGUE OSHKOSH CITY/WINNEBAGO COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE PORTAGE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

GOLD CLUB MEMBERS DOOR COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE OCONTO COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP LEVELS PLATINUM $1,000 Annual Membership Level GOLD $500 Annual Membership Level SILVER $250 Annual Membership Level For more information on becoming a Special Club Member, call the TLW office at (608) 270-8591.

4

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Carrie Mantey, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Jerriann Mullen, Nei-Turner Media Group Inc.

ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE

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

ADVERTISING COORDINATOR

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

PRINTED BY

LSC Communications, Pontiac, Illinois On Premise (ISSN #1051-4562) is a bimonthly publication of the Tavern League of Wisconsin Inc., 1818 Parmenter St., Ste. 300, Middleton, WI 53562, Phone: (608) 270-8591.

On Premise is produced by Nei-Turner Media Group Inc., 400 Broad St., Unit D, Lake Geneva, WI 53147. Gary Nei, Chairman; William Turner, President; Barbara Krause, Publisher.

Printing is by LSC Communications, Pontiac, IL. For advertising information, please contact Cindy Micha, (262) 903-8633, cmicha@ntmediagroup. com. Subscriptions included in TLW membership dues; nonmember subscriptions cost $15 per year. Postmaster: Send address corrections to the Tavern League of Wisconsin Office, 1818 Parmenter St., Ste. 300, Middleton, WI 53562.

Periodicals postage paid at Madison, WI and other additional offices. ©2021 Tavern League of Wisconsin Inc. Permission to reprint must be secured in advance of publication, and credit given to author and On Premise.

www.tlw.org

PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE GOING ALL IN

F

or those who may not have had the chance to meet me either on the campaign trail or during our past Fall Convention & Trade Show in Appleton, I would like to introduce myself. Hailing from the tip of Lake Superior, my wife, Emily, and I are the owner/operators of Jimmy’s Saloon, a small local bar located in the business district of Billings Park. As a second-generation operator, I purchased the saloon from my mother, Renee, and late father, Michael, in 2016, after being affiliated with the business since its purchase in 1996.

Over the last decade, I have been involved with the TLW both locally as president and as a state board director. I’ve also contributed my energy to the Superior City Council for the past six years, as well as made a run for state assembly where I unfortunately lost by 139 votes. I have been very fortunate with many opportunities over the years, but sometimes an opportunity comes along like this, where it’s time to push the chips to the center of the table and go all in, and that time for me is now.

After taking a few days after the convention to let things sink in, I hit the ground running. This position has no manual or guidebook to follow, but we are fortunate to have some of the best people in the business working for us and helping with the transition. Trying to fill the shoes of our past presidents will be no easy task; I commend every one of them for their service and sacrifice, making our association what it is today, and I intend to continue that pattern and precedent during my term.

Taking the oath during the convention lit a fire inside me like I’ve never experienced before. What this association has dealt with — while still being able to accomplish much for our members — over the last 20 months has been truly amazing! We must not slow down, however. It’s time to roll up our sleeves, and continue our message to both the public and our lawmakers. I strongly believe our brand — our public image — is the key to our success, and we must continue to show that we are not just a favorite watering hole or distinguished supper club.

We are SafeRide, providing thousands of rides each month and getting people home safe. www.tlw.org

To our league leaders on all levels, I commend you for your service. As I pledge to offer my all as your president, I will also be here to help each of you be the best in your positions. If there is anything I can do to help any of you, I’m always either a phone call or email away.

We are the first to help pitch in for a local fundraiser or a family in need.

We are the glue for many of the communities in this great state.

Continuing this message, providing exceptional member services and fighting to maintain industry sustainability are my top priorities. Communication is another area I plan to develop. It’s a crucial component for the Tavern League, so we can continue making the best, calculated decisions for our association.

Lastly, to our league leaders on all levels, I commend you for your service. As I pledge to offer my all as your president, I will also be here to help each of you be the best in your positions. If there is anything I can do to help any of you, I’m always either a phone call or email away. As my schedule begins to build, I look forward to having the opportunity to visit local meetings and events, so please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Being elected president to arguably the strongest association in our state, if not the nation, is truly an honor. As we move closer to the holiday season, I want to wish everyone a successful, safe and prosperous time. Until then, there is still plenty of work to do.

Cheers!

Keith Kern TLW President

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

5

CORPORATE MEMBERS Support Those WHO Who Support our Association THOSE SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION SUPPORT SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT OUR ASSOCIATION PLATINUM SPONSORS PLATINUM SPONSORS

PLATINUM MEMBERS

2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

2012 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

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

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

GOLD MEMBERS GOLD SPONSORS GOLD SPONSORS

Anheuser-Busch Anheuser-Busch SILVER SPONSORS SILVER SPONSORS

SILVER MEMBERS

BRONZE BRONZE SPONSORS BRONZE SPONSORS

MEMBERS

Make sure to thank these groups for their support and encourage others & not on the list to participate. Any business interested in joining should call the Wisconsin Amusement Wisconsin Amusement & TLW office at (608) 270-8591 forMusic more information regarding the benefits Music Operators, Inc. of the different categories. Remember to “support those who support us.”

Operators, Inc.

and thank these groups for their and encourage the list to Any participate. business in joining ese groups for their support, andsupport, encourage others not onothers the listnot to on participate. businessAny interested in interested joining should call should call fice (608-270-8591) for our listsofthe of categories. the differentRemember categories.“Support Remember “Support those who 8591) for our brochure thatbrochure lists the that benefits thebenefits different those who support us.” support us.”

6

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

The TLW Is

85th Annual

FALL CONVENTION & TRADE SHOW TLW members from around the state reunited at the Red Lion Hotel Paper Valley in Appleton from October 4 to 7, 2021, for the 85th Annual Fall Convention & Trade Show. By all accounts, the show was a success and everyone was excited to meet after well over a year.

MONDAY’S EVENTS The conference kicked off on Monday with the TLW Board of Directors meeting all day, while some TLW members attended a national certified food safety class and took an exam. In the evening, the Outagamie County Tavern League hosted a welcome party at the Capitol Centre.

TUESDAY’S SESSION As registration opened, TLW members mingled and entered their names for drawings. After the Nominating and Rules Committees held meetings, TLW Senior Vice President Cathy Vales kicked off the General Session by welcoming attendees “home” after a long 18 months. Outagamie County Tavern League President Marty DeCoster also thanked everyone for attending, then introduced Jake Woodford, the mayor of Appleton. Woodford related the lessons he learned from working at Mark’s East Side, a supper club in Appleton, to his current job as mayor. “Respect the people you work with, the people who work for you and the people you serve. It all ties into the service I now provide as mayor,” he said.

After the mayor’s speech, TLW President Chris Marsicano shared a video of pictures of TLW establishments, eerily empty in March 2020 when the pandemic hit. “The TLW www.tlw.org

jumped into action,” he said. “We fought closures, fought mandates and fought for our members to make sure you all got back to making a living.”

Next, Marsicano introduced the keynote speaker, Craig Schiefelbein of Paragon Development Systems (PDS), who cofounded PDS over 20 years ago. He shared how the butterfly effect — the idea that when just one person takes time to inspire change, it can have an impact around the world — applies directly to TLW members. By coaching and leading within their businesses, TLW members are contributing directly to their communities.

He drove home the concept that sustainable, profitable growth starts with loyalty, which is driven by the customer experience, and led by leadership and purpose.

“We’ve been stuck for the last 18 months, but it’s time to flap our wings,” he said.

“You have the opportunity to impact someone else’s life.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

7

2021 Fall Convention & Trade Show TUESDAY’S REPORTS Erin Pulaski, TLW secretary and owner of Around the Corner Pub in Mercer, presented the secretary’s report. She said that, as of Aug. 31, 2021, the TLW had 4,560 members compared to 4,495 last year. She also noted that this year’s convention had 88 vendors and over 100 booths for the trade show.

The 2022 State Golf Outing is slated for Sept. 12, 2022, at Tagalong Golf Resort in Birchwood. According to Pulaski, the American Beverage Licensees (ABL) Annual Meeting, originally scheduled for Oct. 17 and 18 in New Orleans, will be switching to a virtual format due to COVID-19 concerns and flooding.

MAJOR AWARDS Marsicano presented the Member of the Year award to Don Mjelde, 6th District director, Brown County Tavern League president and owner of Richard Craniums in Green Bay. Marsicano began by reading a letter that Mjelde’s wife wrote to nominate him.

She shared his journey of hanging out at his parents’ bar as a child in Michigan, waiting for them to finish work, to purchasing his own bar in Green Bay and getting to truly put his love for beer to work.

“I missed all of you last year,” Mjelde said. “I feel home when I’m here.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.”

In the first of two educational sessions, Steve Bench, founder of Generational Consulting, shared tips for attracting and retaining Millennial and Gen Z employees. He based it on building an understanding of how each generation views “work” as part of their identity. A second session allowed attendees to learn more about Chapter 125 during a presentation from three special agents with the Wisconsin Department of Revenue’s Alcohol & Tobacco Enforcement Unit.

That evening, Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) hosted a party featuring Super Vinyl and all money raised from the live auction went to the Direct Givers Fund.

WEDNESDAY’S LEGISLATIVE UPDATE John Bodnovich, ABL executive director, started off with a comprehensive legal report on the industry. He said that bars and taverns were among the hardest hit from the pandemic, with shutdowns for up to 100 days, debt, a lack of additional federal relief and future uncertainty. As such, ABL’s focus has been fighting for federal relief, sharing helpful information, providing economic impact data, speaking out against overly broad regulation and providing tools to support efficient, successful businesses in Wisconsin.

TUESDAY’S EVENTS The trade show was open until 5 p.m., along with a silent auction and bean bag toss with donations benefiting the Tavern Industry Political Action Committee (TIPAC).

“We’re focused on COVID-19 relief,” he stressed. “From March 2020 to March 2021, U.S. bar and restaurant sales of beer, wine and spirits declined by $90 billion and 33,655 on-premise jobs were lost. We know there’s been an economic recovery in some places, but it’s been uneven.” Bodnovich questioned whether the pandemic has changed everything forever, but reassured TLW members that COVID-19 is a temporary setback. He said that, while the pandemic changed some things, “it is not a license to get rid of thoughtful discourse and deliberative policymaking.”

“It didn’t take long to deplete the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) the first time around,” observed Bodnovich.

“The application portal is now closed, but all applications are being held in case more funding is provided by Congress. It’s unfair that only two out of three people got it and others did not. We’re working on it.”

8

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

www.tlw.org

2021 Fall Convention & Trade Show Policies (some temporary, others permanent) enacted during the pandemic that have been positive for local businesses include cocktails to go, package sales delivery, curbside pickup and more.

Meanwhile, labor shortages are cutting across all segments of the industry. “Increased unemployment benefits” is an easy answer, but not a complete one, Bodnovich remarked. And with product shortages, due to a lack of truck drivers, factory workers, etc., “If we don’t’ have it, we can’t sell it.”

Bodnovich noted not only that mid-terms are approaching, but because the pandemic has loosened its hold, some legacy issues — like swipe fees, privacy issues, impaired driving technology and music licensing — are back on the docket.

After Bodnovich’s presentation, Scott Stenger, TLW lobbyist, brought the legislative update a little closer to home. He commended the TLW for fighting to remain open during the pandemic. “There were a lot of challenges none of us anticipated in the last couple of years. We, the Tavern League, drove this issue through the state. If we had not challenged the governor’s stay-at-home order, nothing says that we would be here today. You don’t need an association when everything is good. You need an advocate when there are

www.tlw.org

challenges,” he emphasized.

As for St. Patrick’s Day of 2020, when Gov. Tony Evers first issued an emergency order prohibiting mass gatherings in the state, Stenger pointed out, “No other group but the TLW proposed a bridge grant to qualify hospitality businesses for $25,000 to get you through those two months. We were the first ones,” he recalled.

“We needed to pass a rule to give members the right to bring beer back to wholesalers. It was a quick victory and we were happy with that. On April 16, Safer at Home was extended.

There was only one group that publicly asked to open up the state with restrictions and it helped elevate our stature.”

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

9

2021 Fall Convention & Trade Show Stenger presented a timeline of legislative triumphs over the last year and a half, increasing Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) flexibility, waiving license fees, challenging Evers’ mass gathering order, fighting for the RRF and helping pass cocktails to go. He concluded, “We’ve had some successes and setbacks. We’re hopeful that, in the spring, things are more back to normal.”

WEDNESDAY’S EVENTS After the thorough legislative updates from Stenger and Bodnovich, TLW Managing Director Karie Krantz announced the following operational news: •T he 2021 Tavern of the Game program is complete, with another successful season.

•2 022 raffle calendar sales are under way.

•A record-breaking number of NFL Football FundCrazr tickets — 5,400 — were sold, pummeling the previous record of 3,800.

•T he TLW Foundation obtained a sales tax exemption certification, which will save thousands of dollars every year.

•A total of seven staff members are now dedicated to TLW operations.

• S ocial media posts are getting beefed up, increasing the number of posts a week on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

•T he newsletter and website were refreshed.

•M ember and affiliate member brochures were updated and redesigned, as were the food safety brochures and new member packets.

• The new sponsorship prospectus has already yielded $11,000 this year and a new corporate member was added.

Then, Marsicano introduced Mark Finnegan, VetsRoll president, who acknowledged that the TLW donated $75,000 for VetsRoll in the last year, without any in-person fundraisers, for a cumulative total of $250,000 for the duration of the partnership. VetsRoll honors veterans for their sacrifices with all-expense paid trips to D.C. The TLW is also supporting Hogs for Heroes, which Kevin and Audra Thompson started to raise money to buy Harley-Davidsons for Wisconsin veterans.

THURSDAY’S EVENTS Voting for the next TLW president started off the day. At the General Session, Marsicano updated the audience on the total amount of money raised for the silent auction (over $7,000), live auction ($41,400) and beanbag toss (more than $1,000).

He also noted that the conference drew 905 registrants total.

According to him, “People were saying: I’m coming to this convention, come hell or high water. Thank you to our new staff for the excellent job they did planning and executing their first TLW Convention.”

After that, Marsicano presented Larry McGinn, a founding member of Children of Restaurant Employees (CORE), with a $15,000 check from the TLW. As McGinn accepted the donation, he said, “CORE has now evolved to be a direct funding organization to hospitality families who are in need of a quick financial fix to get over the hump. That’s what we’re here for. That brings the total money raised from the TLW to around $125,000 over a 10-year period. Thank you for the donations and partnership. Please call use any time you need some help.”

Marsicano introduced former TLW Executive Director Pete Madland to the stage, who thanked everyone for his retirement party: “It was overwhelming, the demonstrations of gratitude from people. I’m still a phone call away. I will come to your meetings. I will recruit. I will meet and greet.”

Then all of the new nominations for both executive officers and the Board of Directors for 2022 were called for and confirmed before the Parade of Candidates.

Following the General Session, the trade show opened, while a League Leader and SafeRide Program meeting took place. District caucuses were held later in the afternoon. After the President’s Reception with Marsicano, TLW members celebrated Pete Madland’s leadership and retirement with a party (sponsored by Badger Liquor), good friends, food, beverages and music.

10

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

www.tlw.org

2021 Fall Convention & Trade Show Next came the announcement and swearing in of the new TLW president. Kelly Vecitis of Kelly’s Bleachers, the TLW Rules Committee chair, took the podium to report that presidential candidate Cathy Vales received 57 votes, while Keith Kern earned 245 votes. As Marsicano invited Kern to speak, he mentioned, “It was a race won on civil and friendly terms. Cathy will remain in her position. Thank you for all your service.”

Kern first spoke to Vales: “First and foremost, I couldn’t have asked for a better opponent to run against. We both have the same passion and drive for this industry. I look forward to working with you and the whole Board.”

Then he turned his attention to the audience: “Thank you so much for your support. I want to work with the new TLW staff and communicate with every Tavern League member.

We all have to work together to be one. We’re going to make things happen. I look forward to working with each and every one of you. Thank you once again for this unbelievable honor. A lot of people have gotten me to this point and I appreciate it.”

After the General Session, DeCoster hosted a president’s reception at Plan B in Kaukauna to tie a ribbon around the TLW Fall Convention & Trade Show. The TLW invites everyone to join them in 2022 for the Spring Convention & Trade Show in La Crosse for another reunion of the TLW family. It truly was good to be back together. TLW

NOMINATING COMMITTEE REPORT: FALL 2021 ELECTION RESULTS Keith Kern, TLW Eighth District director, Superior/ Douglas County president and owner of Jimmy’s Saloon in Superior, succeeded against Cathy Vales, TLW senior vice president, Marquette County Membership chairperson and owner of Mike & Cathy’s Good Old Days in Montello, for a two-year term as president.

President

Two years

Keith Kern

NOMINATIONS FOR SPRING 2022 EXECUTIVE OFFICERS Southern District VP One Year

Keith Koehler

Southern Zone VP Two Years

Dan Taivalkoski Jennifer Collison

Eastern District VP

One Year

Don Mjelde

Central District VP

One Year

Bob Carpenter

Central Zone VP

Two Years

Paul Salzwedel

Northern District VP One Year

Nancy Lorbetske Dan Ullsperger

BOARD OF DIRECTORS 1st District

As Kern began a new chapter, Marsicano was ending one. “My goal has always been to help the membership.

I can’t describe the feeling of seeing you all again — the camaraderie, the laughter, the fun, the support — it means so much to me. I will always bleed Tavern League red, and I will always be here to help the new president and all of you. I believe in you and what we can do,” he said.

When it was time to announce the drawing winners, DeCoster got everyone back to business, saying, “I don’t have a fancy speech prepared. I’m just going to give away a lot of money.”

To conclude the General Session, the TLW played a video with the following words: “Hello, everyone. Long time, no see. It’s good to be back.” The wrap-up captured many special moments during the convention — people smiling, laughing and enjoying each other’s company. www.tlw.org

Two Years

Renee Peterson

1st District One Year

Kelly Vecitis Ray Garreau Wendy Coey

2nd District

Two Years

Eric Christenson

3rd District

Two Years

Doug Clausen

3rd District

One Year

Jerry Hinderman

4th District

Two Years

Mark Puetz

5th District Two Years

Ray Bruch Sharon Kingston

5th District

One Year

Jim Billings

6th District

Two Years

Judy Vandenhouten

6th District

One Year

Terri “Sassy” Buman

7th District

Two Years

Diane Schwartz

7th District

One Year

Mike Celt

8th District

Two Years

Russ Fisher

8th District One Year

Chuck Anderson Randy Purdy

9th District

Lorie Helm

Two Years

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

11

ABL DISPATCH — THE LATEST INDUSTRY NEWS FROM WASHINGTON

BY JOHN BODNOVICH, ABL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

I

want to start with a personal note of thanks. I had the privilege to participate in the convention in Appleton in October, and was blown away by the energy and engagement of the Board, staff and attendees. Kudos to the TLW team for putting on such a well-run event, and kudos to TLW members for not only helping advocate for your interests in Madison and around the state, but also raising funds for charity. The TLW remains a model for other state associations when it comes to organization and engagement.

Compliments also go to Karie Krantz, Tony Veroeven and the entire TLW staff for running a first-class event.

Congratulations to Keith Kern for his successful campaign to become the new TLW president. And congrats to Chris Marsicano for a successful run as president, helming the TLW as it navigated the unprecedented waters of a global pandemic. And finally, congrats to Pete Madland on his long and meaningful tenure as TLW executive director. Here’s hoping you enjoy retirement, Pete.

swipe fees, taxes, music licensing and tariffs — that affect beverage alcohol businesses. The window for COVID-19 relief remains open, but is narrowing. An end-of-year push is anticipated, especially as businesses that survived closures are now dealing with increased costs of goods, supply chain problems and labor shortages, topics I heard a lot about from TLW members in October.

RRF Replenishment Act Earlier this year, 362,000 applicants requested a total of $75 billion in funding, quickly depleting the $28.6 billion RRF program. ABL is working with members of Congress and allied groups to garner support for the RRF Replenishment Act of 2021, which would add $60 billion to the fund. But time is running short, as this measure likely needs to be attached to a must-pass bill before the end of the year to succeed. While the uneven economic recovery and Delta-variant surge demonstrate the lingering need for federal relief, moderate Senate Democrats are setting the spending agenda at the moment, which means breaking through with this spending bill will be more challenging.

Perishable Food and Beverage Tax Credit Federal Overview After delaying a series of self-imposed deadlines for major policy initiatives, Congress continues to work on must-pass bills (such as funding the government and increasing the debt ceiling) and Democratic legislative agenda priorities (like a massive budget reconciliation package). These circumstances mean there is limited time and opportunity for other legislation this fall.

COVID-19 relief measures — such as the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) Replenishment Act, and perishable food and beverage tax credit — remain a top priority for American Beverage Licensees (ABL), while advocacy continues on long-standing issues — such as impaired driving,

12

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

ABL continues to support the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act (HCJRA) of 2021, which would provide “a temporary credit for unmerchantable inventory between March 13, 2020, and September 30, 2020, at 90% of the qualified unmerchantable food and beverage costs for any taxpayer engaged in the active trade of sale of food or beverage as a manufacturer, importer, wholesale distributor or retailer.” ABL and its coalition partners continue to evaluate how best to get this tax credit across the finish line.

COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Program Modifications This summer, ABL consulted with the Small Business Administration (SBA) and hosted a webinar for its members about the modified COVID-19 EIDL program. TLW members are encouraged to review the modified program to determine if they can take advantage of any relief offered. (View a summary of changes to the program here: sba.gov/sites/default/files/2021-09/COVID-ProgramUpdates-09082021-508.pdf.) www.tlw.org

World Health Organization (WHO) Drafts Alcohol Action Plan A recent draft alcohol action plan from the WHO would implement a policy to reduce all alcohol consumption by 20% by 2030. This is a departure from the group’s previously stated intentions of fighting harmful alcohol use. ABL is working with industry partners and allies to determine the best way to make sure this plan is not foisted on American beverage businesses. Many bars and taverns are still working their way out of the pandemic financially bruised and battered with labor and product shortage issues. The last thing they need is for an international organization to call for one in five of their customers to be kicked out of the bar.

As ABL wrote to the WHO: By equating all drinking with harmful drinking, the draft action plan endangers the progress that has been made over the last decade in reducing the harmful use of alcohol around the world. This appeal undermines the legitimacy of the program, and those who support it with the unserious and ill-conceived call to reduce all drinking by 20% by 2030, rather than focus on the reduction of harmful drinking. In addition, the action plan wrong-headedly recommends a global alcohol tax to be levied on top of existing taxes. We know that excessively increasing taxes on products such as alcohol can lead to greater grey- and black-market activities, which only further puts at risk populations that otherwise are able to enjoy the affordable luxury of a glass of wine, a bottle of beer or a cocktail.

Putting aside the significant jeopardy in which this draft action plan would place legitimate efforts to reduce harmful drinking, it must also be noted that this draft action plan is a broadside attack on the legal, legitimate and responsible hospitality industry. If adopted, it would have dire consequences for locally licensed beverage businesses, their right to operate, and the livelihoods of people working in shops and establishments. Already the hospitality sector is struggling to regain sound financial and employment footing following the devastating COVID-19 pandemic that forced many businesses to close — some permanently — take on debt, lay off staff and otherwise sacrifice the welfare of those who rely on hospitality industry jobs.

Music Licensing Since 2015, ABL has been a member of the MIC Coalition, which is focused on bringing greater transparency and fairness to the music licensing marketplace. During that time, the coalition has been involved in the following: •2 015-2016 – The Obama Administration U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Antitrust Division review of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) and Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI) consent decrees, resulting in only a change in the interpretation of these rules prohibiting “fractional licensing.”

www.tlw.org

•2 017 – Introduction of the Transparency in Music Licensing and Ownership Act by Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), which would have created a comprehensive database of compositions and recordings, and those works’ owners and identification numbers.

• 2018 – Passage of the Music Modernization Act, which modernized copyright-related issues for music and audio recordings due to new forms of technology.

• 2019-2021 – The Trump Administration U.S. DOJ Antitrust Division review of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees, ending without any modification.

As we look to the future and for ways to improve the music licensing experience for stakeholders — including bars, taverns and restaurants — ABL is seeking feedback from members on what issues persist with the music licensing process for general licensees. Please feel free to contact ABL at bodnovich@ablusa.org to let us know your thoughts.

As we look to the future and for ways to improve the music licensing experience for stakeholders — including bars, taverns and restaurants — ABL is seeking feedback from members on what issues persist with the music licensing process for general licensees.

Impaired Driving On Aug. 10, the U.S. Senate voted 69-30 to pass the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, bipartisan legislation to invest in the nation’s infrastructure, including funding for roads and bridges, rail, transit, ports, airports, the electric grid, water systems and broadband, among other priorities.

The Senate bill includes a multi-year federal rulemaking process to include technology in new vehicles that would prevent a drunk driver from driving impaired, but would be unobtrusive to the safe, sober driver. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration will be tasked with testing technologies, determining feasibility and proceeding to implementation.

It remains an open question as to when this technology would become available. Some hint at challenges ahead as the legislation accounts for up to a 10-year runway from the date of passage, with contingencies should development take longer than 10 years. If the larger infrastructure bill passes, ABL will have the opportunity to advocate during the rulemaking process. TLW ABL is the voice of America’s beer, wine and spirits retailers in Washington, D.C. ABL represents the TLW and its many members, as well as thousands of other on- and off-premise retailers of beverage alcohol across the United States.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

13

Grappling with Rising Prices As supply chains are stretched thin, bars and taverns are facing shortages and contending with escalating costs.

By Maura Keller

I

t’s nearly impossible to go a day without seeing headlines announcing the continuous supply chain issues facing the nation, or hearing about product and labor shortages. As supply chains are stretched thin, bars and taverns are facing both a lack of supply and rising costs.

According to Mike Coenen, Wisconsin sales and co-pack director at Riverside Foods, food prices are rising for several reasons, but most notably at this juncture is the cost of employees. “Not only are employees scarce, but those who are working are demanding higher wages. The bar and restaurant owner is competing for these employees against other businesses,” Coenen says. “As a manufacturer, we are searching for employees who are costing us more. Food costs, as a whole, are increasing lately due to labor.”

Let’s say a manufacturer wants to produce breaded chicken tenders, but the chicken tenders are in short supply. Why? There are live chickens, but the feed is costlier, fuel costs are up, there are limited employees to process the chickens, and the list goes on right up and down the supply chain.

As a result, consumers primarily see two effects: decreased availability and increased prices. Many food and beverage products are either not available or available in limited quantities. And if they are available at all, consumers are paying inflated prices.

“I believe tariffs may play a factor, but more than likely, it is a small part of the bigger puzzle right now with the supply chain situation being the top issue,” Coenen says. “Things were good until COVID-19 hit.” Indeed, historic demand and COVID-19 complications seem to be at the core of the supply chain issues. The pandemic diminished the available

14

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

workforce at ports, carriers and shippers, while surging demand for goods created logistical traffic jams.

The domestic supply chain issues are linked not only to an unprecedented need for transport, but also to a time when the driver shortage is escalating, with many drivers retiring from an aging labor pool and fewer joining the ranks. In addition, driving schools were closed for a few months during the height of the pandemic, further delaying an influx of new drivers. E-commerce is also partly to blame by creating even more demand for local drivers, further draining the pool of long-haul drivers.

Riley Adams, a senior financial analyst at Google, says the cause of rising beer and food prices is primarily threefold: energy prices climbing back to highs not seen since 2014, supply chain constraints primarily related to overseas shipping and a tightening labor market forcing employers to pay more in compensation to attract talent. “As a result, many of the costs related to raw materials, transportation, labor and other inputs for products have risen — beer and food included,” Adams says. “Because of this trifecta of input cost increases, bar and restaurant owners (and businesses in general) are in the precarious position of either accepting lower profits or pushing these price increases through to consumers.”

Going forward, Adams says bar and tavern owners can expect a steady uptick in prices to capture these upsized costs, keeping business owners whole.

Chris Romani, CEO of Restaurant Smarts, a consulting and software company that focuses on solutions for front-of-house restaurant services, agrees. He says that,

www.tlw.org

when he speaks with distributors, they don’t see reduced prices happening in the near future. “This is because there is not only a large demand for food and beverages, but also bottlenecks for food and beverages to flow through the supply chain. [Both large demand and short supply continue to compound and increase the value of these items.] They reminded me, though, that the restaurant industry will be cyclical and, come the start of 2022, we will see fewer diners and the supply chain may have a chance to catch back up,” explains Romani.

using all your communication channels to speak to your customers. “Most customers understand what is happening across the hospitality industry and are understanding when they know [about price increases] ahead of time, but being hit by additional fees as you pay will leave a bad taste in anyone’s mouth,” he says. “Bar and tavern owners also have a unique opportunity to create events where the cost of individual items can be hidden. For instance, if you have a cornhole tournament, you can charge for the tournament, and include food and drinks.”

“Many of the costs related to raw materials, transportation, labor and other inputs for products have risen — beer and food included.

Because of this trifecta of input cost increases, bar and restaurant owners (and businesses in general) are in the precarious position of either accepting lower profits or pushing these price increases through to consumers.”

Emphasize the quality food, cold beer and great service rather than begging forgiveness for raising prices. “Don’t lead with price. Lead with quality and memorable service, so the consumer comes back again and again,” Coenen says.

“If you have to put it out there that your prices had to go up, it has been my experience, all menu strategies aside, to be open about it if asked. I think our consumers are being educated right before our eyes as they pump gas, or buy a gallon of milk, a dozen eggs or a head of lettuce, or pay their heating and cooling bills, etc. I think they get it.”

— Riley Adams, Google Is It Time to Raise Prices?

In Coenen’s opinion, food, fuel and other supply chain costs will likely continue to rise. “Bar owners are sticking it out as best they can. Since consumers are seeing these shortages and price increases at the grocery store, they have become accustomed to seeing it at their local watering hole, too, and people are beginning to just roll with the punches,” he says.

“Let’s face it, if that bottle of beer is now twice the cost it was last year, the bar owner has to increase their prices to keep up. And if the hourly wage of a bartender is now 20% higher than it was last year, they have to increase prices to stay in business. I think the consumer gets it. And if they don’t, they just change their habits.”

Of course, nobody wants to raise prices. But, as Coenen points out, they might have to if they want to stay in business: “So what’s my advice? Keep your head down and do the best you can. Treat people how you want to be treated and keep on going.” In other words, if you have a good clientele, be up front with them, and they may surprise you with their loyalty and understanding. TLW

So what’s the best strategy going forward for Wisconsin bar and tavern owners?

“For now, bar and tavern owners should keep a close gauge on how their businesses perform, and understand consumers’ sensitivity to price increases,” Adams says. “Therefore, they should understand whether it makes sense to phase in cost increases over time or make the price adjustments all at once. Depending on the economic climate in their specific region, one strategy may work better than the other.”

For bar owners who have a food menu, Romani suggests adjusting pricing and portions may be the way to go. In other cases, he thinks it’s more prudent to stick it out. He recommends that, whatever you do, make sure you are

www.tlw.org

262-336-9624 wimilkcaps.com NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

15

SAFERIDE SAVES LIVES A model for the nation, this innovative program has been offering safe rides home for more than three decades.

I

n spite of the pandemic, the TLW’s SafeRide Program is celebrating another successful year. In 2020-2021, our members provided over 42,000 SafeRides to customers throughout Wisconsin. We want to thank all of our SafeRide coordinators for their efforts ensuring the program is run properly and efficiently.

We also want to thank the more than 2,000 member establishments that participate in the program, allowing their customers who feel impaired to get home safely. We encourage all members to consider offering SafeRide to their customers where the program is available. Thanks to all participants for helping make Wisconsin roads safer for everyone.

TLW SAFERIDE SURVEY 2020-2021 LEAGUE/GROUP

NUMBER OF RIDERS

COST OF RIDES

AVERAGE COST

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

266 237 3,954 3,404 38 1,688 159 259 58 631 1,155 N/A 831 231 26 199 325 247 657 4,150 N/A 115 431 552 2,687 805 1,344 410 304 698 N/A 1,416 5,203 209 159 160 125 378 N/A 389 18 6,122 540 29 449 135 219 N/A 27 N/A 20 87 N/A 47 N/A 284 N/A 470

$1,954 $4,444 $54,368 $18,212 $310 $12,100 $1,958 $1,140 $643 $6,090 $11,063 N/A $7,105 $1,876 $423 $1,600 $2,472 $2,692 $17,274 $29,463 N/A $2,300 $6,630 $10,609 $23,877 $9,938 $7,877 $7,204 $4,556 $4,887 N/A $9,397 $43,171 $2,621 $2,530 $1,575 $1,233 $3,729 N/A $7,575 $438 $7,012 $5,510 $364 $2,788 $1,077 $2,432 N/A $605 N/A $493 $3,343 N/A $870 N/A $4,081 N/A $1,570

$7.34 $18.75 $13.75 $5.35 $8.16 $7.17 $12.31 $4.40 $11.09 $9.65 $9.58 N/A $8.55 $8.12 $16.27 $8.04 $7.61 $10.90 $26.29 $7.10 N/A $20.00 $15.38 $19.22 $8.89 $12.35 $5.86 $17.57 $14.99 $7.00 N/A $6.64 $8.30 $12.54 $15.91 $9.84 $9.86 $9.87 N/A $19.47 $24.32 $1.15 $10.20 $12.55 $6.21 $7.97 $11.11 N/A $22.41 N/A $24.65 $38.42 N/A $18.51 N/A $14.37 N/A $3.34

8 42 106 32 24 26 19 18 36 27 29 14 27 21 15 17 29 39 45 76 16 24 43 67 84 55 35 31 82 34 22 48 39 50 9 14 11 60 14 36 32 49 24 86 26 8 18 29 21 43 21 57 24 25 21 28 27 43

23% 62% 58% 31% 47% 57% 50% 35% 45% 44% 45% 30% 18% 46% 54% 46% 36% 42% 60% 52% 59% 51% 93% 48% 74% 56% 51% 70% 45% 69% 35% 70% 51% 31% 20% 64% 21% 61% 26% 43% 58% 92% 57% 183% 41% 28% 24% 50% 58% 44% 35% 57% 55% 40% 22% 32% 60% 68%

Totals

42,347

$355,479

$8.39

2,006

49%

www.tlw.org

PARTICIPATION

% OF MEMBERSHIP

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

17

On Target with Gun Raffles

As gun popularity surges, tavern owners can enhance fundraising efforts by running a successful raffle.

By Maura Keller

C

orporate philanthropy has been a solid line item in most of Wisconsin’s largest corporations for decades, permanently etched in corporate balance sheets. But how do the small and mid-sized taverns dotting Wisconsin’s landscape fund their philanthropic goals? By appealing to the interests of many bar patrons, some are capitalizing on the success of a well-run gun raffle for improving how they give back to the community.

Gun raffles have been held in Wisconsin — a state with a robust hunting population — for decades. And the interest in guns for personal protection has also skyrocketed in recent months. Just ask Ray Garreau Sr., owner of the Boar’s Nest in Darien and treasurer of the Walworth County Tavern League, who has been running a few hundred gun raffles every year for his league.

“Gun sales at the two gun shops I work with are off the charts. And while my gun raffles have always been good, now they are crazy good,” Garreau says. “For example, in Kenosha County, I have two bars, J&M’s Bar & Grill in Somers and Stumble Inn Bar and Grill in Union Grove, doing two gun raffles a week. I drop off on Monday and they are sold out on Saturday. Since March 1, 2021, those two bars alone have raised over $10,000 in profit.”

Garreau is working with about 10 other bars in Kenosha County that are typically giving away one gun every three weeks via raffles. “It’s just crazy fundraising,” Garreau says. “About a year ago, I began doing similar gun raffles in Walworth County and raised over $23,000.”

18

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Requirements Aplenty In the world of fundraising, only certain organizations can legally hold raffles, including: • Veterans • Churches • Religious, fraternal or fraternal benefit societies • Educational, charitable, civic or service clubs •O ther clubs or organizations operated exclusively for nonprofit purposes

“It’s really word-of-mouth marketing, but if you have the right clientele, a gun raffle will be a huge fundraising success. This past February, we raffled off 25 guns and raised $40,000 as part of our fishing derby.”

— Ray Garreau Sr., Boar’s Nest They are allowed to hold raffles that are defined as “an arrangement for raising money by the sale of tickets, certain among which, as determined by chance after the sale, entitle the holders to prizes.”

And if certain qualifying nonprofit organizations obtain the required licensing, all raffles are permitted, so they are not considered gambling. In addition, all raffle proceeds www.tlw.org

people who come in and throw down $200 for 20 tickets.

If you want to spend more money and buy more tickets — the better the odds.”

Garreau advises that bars and taverns purchase guns for raffle from reputable gun dealers or sporting good stores.

And always have the trigger lock on and the gun out of reach.

must be used for educational, charitable, religious, fraternal or civic purposes, or for veterans’ benefits.

As Garreau explains, a foundation or 501(c)(3) must obtain either a Class A or Class B license to host a gun raffle. A Class A raffle is when you sell some or all of the tickets in advance of the date of the drawing. Let’s say you plan on hosting a gun raffle a few months down the road. The tickets are preprinted and consecutively numbered with the required information. A winner needs not be present to win.

Class B raffles are when tickets are only sold or delivered on the day of the raffle. Generic raffle tickets may be used and typically the winner must be present.

According to the Wisconsin Department of Administration, an organization conducting both Class A and Class B raffles must obtain both license types. You must submit a separate application, supporting documentation (articles of incorporation, or constitution, charter or bylaws) and a fee for each license unless you apply for the new raffle license online.

“It is perfectly legal if you have your Class A or Class B license, which only costs $25 for an entire year for 501(c) (3)s,” Garreau says. “It is also legal to have a gun hanging in a bar. I find that customers have to see the gun to make a gun raffle truly successful and I only deal with highend, quality guns. If I have to spend $1,000 on a gun and that gun goes for $1,200 at $10 per ticket, that’s a good fundraising profit.”

How It Works The advice Garreau has for other leagues who are interested in fundraising via gun raffles is quite simple: “Get your feet in the water and try it.” In Kenosha County, Garreau has 10 bars that are very enthusiastic.

Their customers are always asking, “When is the next gun raffle?” And at $10 per raffle ticket, Garreau finds that customers are willing and eager to participate.

“I work with two gun shops. I buy the gun, take it to the bar, and set the bar up with the tickets and raffle program.

The bar raffles the gun off and, when a winner is selected, the bar calls me to pick up the money, the gun and the winning ticket, and bring them back to the gun shop. The shop takes my name off the gun, and then the person who wins must go to the gun shop to have a background check before taking legal ownership,” explains Garreau.

And while Garreau has used social media, such as Facebook, to announce upcoming gun raffles, these media outlets are increasingly restricting such activity on their sites. “It’s really word-of-mouth marketing,” he admits.

“But if you have the right clientele, a gun raffle will be a huge fundraising success. This past February, we raffled off 25 guns and raised $40,000 as part of our fishing derby. The cost of the guns was $20,000, so the remaining amount was given to VetsRoll. And that was one day of raffle sales!” TLW

© 2021 Society Insurance

Filling you up now so you won’t be hungry later.

Small detail. Big difference.

Today’s cut corner can easily turn into tomorrow’s missing piece.

That’s why it’s so important to invest in staying protected against the unique risks that restaurants and bars face. With forty years of experience in specialized coverage, we’re prepared to handle those challenges so that you can focus on what’s next.

To learn more about how we deliver the small details that make a big difference, call 1-888-5-SOCIETY or visit societyinsurance.com.

“It’s an easy number. If I have $10 in my pocket, I’ll take a chance and most people feel that way,” Garreau observes.

“It is very easy to take a chance for $10. Or we have www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

19

ACCOUNTING ON TAP HOW AN EFFECTIVE ENTITY STRUCTURE MIGHT SHIFT OVER TIME

BY DAN BERGS, CPA

M

any business entities begin as one type of entity and remain the same entity for the entirety of the business. But every few years, a business should evaluate the legal form of the business. As an integral part of planning for your business success, consider whether your current form of business is going to suit you for the next year, five years, 10 years and into retirement. The initial factors of choosing a business entity structure are different than planning for an established business.

Please consider these two primary factors when forming your business and determining your initial business structure: • Tax implications. Significant tax law changes have occurred over the last several years and new legislation is pending. This pending legislation would likely have income tax repercussions for businesses and individuals.

• Legal liability. How can you best protect your business and personal assets against claims of vendors, customers and other creditors?

Other factors to consider for your business are: • Investors. If you are considering taking on partners or outside investors, the choice of entity might need to be changed. This is applicable to new businesses, as well as businesses that might be taking on investors to open another location and expand the current business. It’s a good time to review your form, and document the various legal and tax issues that need to be addressed in multiowner companies.

• Succession. How will your business continue when you retire? Is your entity structure optimal to make sure you are maximizing the after-tax dollars from the sale of your business? The business entity selection will have an impact on how the sale of your business is taxed.

• Employee benefits. Many restaurants and bars do not offer insurance benefits, such as health, dental, life, disability, vision, etc. In a competitive market, these benefit offerings may be necessary. If providing benefits for yourself and your family, your choice of business entity structure can help determine whether you can use these benefits as tax deductions.

Looking at the list of possible business structures is a daunting task. You may choose from a: • Sole proprietorship • General partnership • Limited partnership • Limited liability company (LLC), which is taxed as a disregarded entity, a partnership, or a C or an S corporation • Limited liability partnership (LLP) • Corporation, which is taxed as a C or an S corporation

As an integral part of planning for your business success, consider whether your current form of business is going to suit you for the next year, five years, 10 years and into retirement.

Each type of entity structure has advantages and disadvantages for succession planning, investors and employee benefits. Consider both short- and long-term planning when forming the correct business entity.

Selecting an initial form for your business is not a decision to be made lightly. It is important to consult your advisors prior to making this decision. In addition, it is vital to plan a periodic review of your business structure to be sure it is still the right choice for you. The timing of these decisions are important and periodically reviewing business entity structures is beneficial for long-term business planning. TLW Dan Bergs, CPA, is a supervisor in the tax and business services department with Wegner CPAs LLP. The firm has offices in Madison, Baraboo, Waukesha and Janesville. This article is not intended to give complete tax advice, but a general review of subject matter. For more information, please contact Bergs at (608) 442-1986 or dan.bergs@wegnercpas.com.

20

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

www.tlw.org

LEGISLATIVE NOTES TLW SUPPORTS THE RESTRICTION OF CREDIT CARD SWIPE FEES

BY SCOTT STENGER, STENGER GOVERNMENT RELATIONS

A

s I sit down to write this article, the harsh reality of winter is beginning to arrive as it predictably does every year.

The days are regrettably shorter, the north wind blows colder and snow is just around the corner. We can only hope the long days and warmth of spring will be here as quickly as the cold, short days of winter have arrived.

As such, the legislative session is winding down. But the TLW is a member of a Main Street Wisconsin business coalition in support of a bill sponsored by Sen. Dan Feyen (R-Fond du Lac) and Rep. Tyler Vorpagel (R-Plymouth) to restrict swipe fees to retailers on the state tax portion of a transaction.

Assembly Bill 587 and Senate Bill 572 would: P rohibit a “swipe fee” from being imposed against a merchant on the tax portion of a transaction when a purchase is made from the merchant using a credit card. The bill also prohibits a “swipe fee” from being imposed on the portion of any transaction that is a fee imposed by a city, village, town or county. Any person that violates this prohibition may be required to forfeit not more than $200 for each violation.

Wisconsin’s retailers are required to collect and remit taxes to the state, making them Wisconsin’s tax collectors. Providing this service to the state comes at a cost to the retailer, especially when

www.tlw.org

Wisconsin’s Main Street retailers are losing money, while the credit card companies profit on the collection of state taxes. a purchase by a consumer is made with a credit card. Credit card companies assess a fee to every transaction made with a credit card, including the tax portion of the transaction. Wisconsin’s Main Street retailers are losing money, while the credit card companies profit on the collection of state taxes.

It is estimated that swipe fees cost retailers $36.74 million in 2019 and $50.79 million in 2020 to processors for collecting taxes due to the state of Wisconsin. Credit card usage increased during the COVID-19 pandemic and increases in general with higher prices.

As prices increase, the losses to retailers increase while credit card companies see higher profits.

Assembly Bill 587 and Senate Bill 572 prohibit a swipe fee from being imposed against a merchant on only the tax portion of a transaction when a purchase is made using a credit card. This does not impact transactions made with a debit card. Please take some time to contact your legislator and urge support for Assembly Bill 587 and Senate Bill 572 to help Main Street Wisconsin retailers.

Small businesses in Wisconsin should not have to pay additional swipe fees for state-imposed fees or taxes.

To find your legislator, please visit: tlw.org/government-affairs. TLW

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

21

BY THE BOOK ARE YOU PAYING TIPPED EMPLOYEES THE CORRECT OVERTIME WAGE?

BY JORDAN ROHLFING

E

nsuring that overtime wages are calculated correctly can save employers from headaches down the line. As discussed in the last By the Book, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Wisconsin law allow employers to credit some portion of tips received by employees toward the employer’s minimum wage obligations, commonly referred to as a “tip credit.”

This article addresses how employers should calculate overtime wages for tipped employees for whom the employer takes a tip credit.

Overtime Wages Under the FLSA and Wisconsin Law Federal and Wisconsin law require employers to pay overtime to employees who work over 40 hours in a workweek. Those laws also state that overtime must be paid at one and a half times the regular rate of pay for all hours worked in excess of 40 hours per week.

There are two major pitfalls that employers face when paying overtime wages to tipped employees: 1. F ailing to calculate a tipped employee’s overtime wages using the full applicable minimum wage.

2. F ailing to calculate overtime wages on a workweek basis.

Calculating Overtime Wages for Tipped Employees for Whom the Employer Takes a Tip Credit Overtime wages must be paid at a rate not less than time and a half of the employee’s regular rate of pay. Employers who claim a tip credit for tipped employees must calculate the tipped employee’s overtime wages using the applicable full minimum wage (i.e., $7.25 per hour under federal and Wisconsin law), not the cash wage that is paid after the tip credit is taken (i.e., $2.13 per hour under the FLSA and $2.33 per hour under Wisconsin law).

Under federal and Wisconsin law, minimum wage is $7.25 per hour. In Wisconsin, the maximum tip credit that can be taken is $4.92 per hour. This generally means that the employer pays a tipped employee in Wisconsin a cash wage of $2.33 per hour (i.e., $7.25 - $4.92 = $2.33).

When calculating overtime wages for tipped employees, employers often make the mistake of multiplying the cash

22

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

wage of $2.33 per hour by time and a half (i.e., $2.33 x 1.5 = $3.50), and using that amount to calculate an employee’s overtime wages.

This approach is not correct. To calculate overtime pay correctly for tipped employees who are paid minimum wage in Wisconsin, the employer must multiply the full applicable minimum wage by one and a half (i.e., $7.25 x 1.5 = $10.88), and then deduct the maximum tip credit allowable under the law to determine the overtime wage rate (i.e., $10.88 - $4.92 = $5.96). The employer must then multiply all overtime hours worked in a given workweek by $5.96 to correctly calculate the amount of overtime pay owed.

Overtime Wages Must Be Calculated on a Workweek Basis Overtime wages are calculated on a workweek basis and not on a pay period basis. The following example is illustrative: An employer pays its employees every two weeks. The employee works 50 hours in the first week of the pay period and 20 hours in the second week of the pay period. The employer would be violating the law if it averaged out the two weeks and did not pay any overtime wages based on the idea that the employee did not work more than 80 hours over the course of the two-week pay period. Instead, the employer must pay the employee 10 hours of overtime for the first week, even though the employee worked less than 80 total hours during the pay period.

There are two major pitfalls that employers face when paying overtime wages to tipped employees: failing to calculate a tipped employee’s overtime wages using the full applicable minimum wage and failing to calculate overtime wages on a workweek basis.

Due to harsh penalties facing employers for wage and hour violations, employers should internally audit their overtime pay practices to ensure they are legally compliant. TLW Jordan Rohlfing is a senior associate at DeWitt LLP. She is an active member of the firm’s litigation, labor and employment relations, and background screening practice groups. www.tlw.org

LEAGUE PROFILE WASHINGTON COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

T

he Washington County Tavern League is doing big things with a limited number of members. “We are very active in community events,” says Dan Goetz, owner of Arrowhead Golf Course, who has served as the Washington County Tavern League president for about 10 years. “We do a lot of good with our membership and have very good, active members.” He reports that this county league and its members raised about $400,000 last year for charities and local families that needed help.

The league has about 65 members, which span a variety of businesses, including restaurants, taverns, small bars, golf courses and bowling alleys. The largest communities this county league serves are Hartford, West Bend, Germantown and Slinger.

One organization the Washington County Tavern League has long supported is the county’s dive team, which is part of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department. In fact, the local Tavern League was instrumental in getting the specialty unit started about 20 years ago. (Read more in the Charity Spotlight on Page 25.)

As a strong supporter of local law enforcement, the league also purchased a mapping system for the sheriff’s department about three years ago. This system is used to map every school in the county, so local law enforcement has a “lay of the land” in case an incident occurs. “If there is an incident at any school, this system helps the deputy who arrives know where every room, every bathroom, every hallway is before stepping inside. This gives them an advantage,” says Goetz.

To support its charitable giving, the Washington County Tavern League hosts three primary annual fundraisers. The league’s winter party, held in February, is the organization’s major fundraiser. It includes dinner, music, raffles, and a www.tlw.org

silent and live auction, and it is held at Mueller’s Linden Inn in Cedar Lake.

April brings a nine-pin tap bowling tournament. Held at one of Goetz’s businesses, the Pioneer Bowl Sports Center in Richfield, this event supports the league’s SafeRide Program, which has gone from nothing to something special in the last 15 years. Goetz gives the credit for that transformation to Tom Wenzel, the county’s SafeRide coordinator. “Our SafeRide has become very active,” according to Goetz. “We went from zero to lots and lots of rides.”

The league also sponsors a golf outing, which is held the second Monday in August each year.

When Washington County Tavern League members aren’t busy running their establishments, they are working to give back to their community and industry. For instance, after years of dwindling interest, a county Tavern League member helped resurrect the St. Patrick’s Day parade in the town of Erin. “That event was very successful and we had people come from all over the state,” says Goetz.

“It was a good event for us. Even though we didn’t raise funds directly, the bars all made money because of the participation and getting people here for it. And it will be even better next year.”

Goetz became a Tavern League member 41 years ago when he and his wife built Pioneer Bowl. He also served on the Washington County board for 26 years. He believes the TLW is the only line of defense for this industry. “There are only a few people in small business who are also in the political sphere,” he says. “There are lots of obstacles to overcome and we need people who understand what it takes to run a small business. That’s why I was on the county board and why I continue to be involved with the Tavern League.” TLW NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

23

BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT SPORTS CORNER BAR & GRILL

R

obin Bird’s charitable giving has taken “flight.” Bird is the owner of Germantown’s Sports Corner Bar & Grill, which has sponsored a golf outing to raise money for the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight for the last five years. This year’s event, held in August, was the best yet, raising $33,285 for the cause. “I’m really proud of what we’ve done. That’s a substantial amount of money for a bar that’s literally in the middle of nowhere,” says Bird.

This year’s golf outing, featuring raffles, hole games and a lot of fun, attracted 30 foursomes. While Bird did not put on the golf outing in 2020 because of the pandemic, the event raised $22,000 in 2019. In 2018, it raised a little over $15,000.

Bird says he’s such a strong supporter of the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight because it is 100% volunteer-driven, and about 98% of the money raised for the organization goes directly back to supporting flights for veterans.

“The Tavern League is a good thing to have at your back.”

— Robin Bird, Sports Corner Bar & Grill

He is also quick to point out that the annual golf outing isn’t a solo act: “I have a whole team involved in the effort. One of my bartenders, Suzie Hanson, really takes the lead and we have 20 to 25 volunteers who help deliver this golf outing. It’s no small feat and I’m really proud of the money raised.”

He adds that he will continue to produce a charitable golf outing as long as he owns the bar, which he has owned since 2003. Bird purchased Sports Corner Bar & Grill from a friend who decided to sell it after buying a bar in Rockford, Ill. Prior to owning Sports Corner, Bird worked in a foundry for 30 years. “The guy who opened it in 1991 was one of my best friends. I’d help him out and do whatever he needed to help take care of the bar,” says Bird. “When he wanted to move, I switched careers.”

He laughs, “It is sort of dumb. I retired from a five-day-a-week job to buy myself a seven-day-a-week job.”

A small, rural bar, Sports Corner is located in Germantown “in the middle of nowhere at a six-way intersection surrounded by corn and soybeans,” admits Bird with a chuckle. But despite its location, it draws a good crowd seven days a week, and even

24

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

more so for Packers games and NASCAR races. Bird believes that what attracts people to his place is the mood. “We have a good, friendly atmosphere,” he explains. “The people here are all nice. I have a really good clientele and it’s a good place for people to come enjoy the game.”

Operating 365 days a year, the establishment is open from 11 a.m. to close all but three days annually. On Independence Day, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, Bird slightly adjusts the schedule. In addition to offering a typical sports bar menu, the kitchen offers a variety of specials. On Mondays and Tuesdays, it’s Chicago-style hotdogs; Wednesdays bring a chicken wing special; Thursday is tacos; and, of course, Friday night is all about the fish fry.

Bird has been a Tavern League member for most of the last 18 years and joined when he first purchased Sports Corner.

“The Tavern League is a good thing to have at your back,” he says. “You need someone to back you up or you will get run into the ground.” TLW SPORTS CORNER BAR & GRILL W187N12793 Fond du Lac Ave., Germantown, WI 53022 (262) 677-1994 | sportscornergt.com www.tlw.org

CHARITY SPOTLIGHT WASHINGTON COUNTY DIVE TEAM

A

bout 18 years ago, 21-year-old Michael Mann and his friend were test-driving a snowmobile when they broke through the ice on Washington County’s Big Cedar Lake.

Tragically, the county was not equipped to attempt a rescue.

“At the time, the closest dive team took more than two hours to arrive on the scene,” recalls Deputy Chief Charles Beistle of West Bend Fire Department. Recognizing the gap in this emergency service, the county board approved funding to create the Washington County Dive Team three months after the accident.

The dive team consists of members from the Washington County Sheriff’s Department and several fire departments across the county. It serves all of Washington County and has mutual aid agreements with all surrounding counties.

To provide fundraising support for the team, the Mann family created the Washington County Dive Association and the Washington County Tavern League has been a significant supporter of the association for more than 10 years. In 2018, the county league donated more than $6,500 for a water rescue raft that assists in water, ice and remote snow accidents when people need to be towed from their emergency.

This year, the Washington County Tavern League donated over $21,000 for rescue suits. All 13 participating departments are receiving two suits with support equipment to initiate cold-water rescues for victims that are not

submerged. These suits, explains Beistle, are buoyant, so the rescuer does not need to know how to swim. In addition, the suits can be used year-round for any water rescues.

“These donations help more than anybody can appreciate,” says Beistle. “The donations have been used to increase the survivability of people who live within, and people who visit, our county. The Washington County Tavern League is assisting in saving lives throughout our county and the surrounding counties.”

Aside from generous donations like those from the TLW, the dive team’s primary source of funding is from an annual bowl-a-thon put on by the Washington County Dive Association. Ongoing funding is necessary to replace aging gear to ensure the safety of the team’s divers, train new divers and purchase new equipment to enhance the team’s efficiency.

“The Washington County Tavern League is assisting in saving lives throughout our county and the surrounding counties.”

— Deputy Chief Charles Beistle, West Bend Fire Department “Members are not assigned [to the dive team], but sign up under their own free will to be a member of this organization.

They put their lives on the line above and beyond what is asked of them in their already-dangerous careers,” says Beistle. “This is the only underwater rescue organization in our area. Chances of water accident survival would critically decrease without this organization.” TLW WASHINGTON COUNTY DIVE TEAM washingtoncountysheriffwi.org/dive_team.php

www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

25

LEAGUE LEADER SPOTLIGHT DAVID MOREY Treasurer of the Washington County Tavern League The Pour House, Hartford Q. Tell us about your background, including your family, location and business.

I have been in the bar business for 43 years and married to my wife, Rosemary, for 56. We have a daughter, named Kristen, and a son, named Bryan (or Llama), who has worked alongside me for 35 years. After working in the corporate structure for 13 years, I decided to buy a bar — The Pour House in Hartford — at 35 years old. My only experience was being a great customer.

I started with a 12-stool bar, and have since eliminated a tenant, gutted the building and put in a 52-foot I-beam.

I now have three Diamond pool tables (with six teams playing every week) and four online dart boards that are used constantly. Online darts are huge. Shooters don’t have to travel. They play almost every night of the week shooting in a league against California or Florida, or wherever they’re from. It’s huge for the bar business.

You can’t just wait for people to come in the door anymore. You have to promote your bar and get people in there. Llama is very good at that. [Llama chimes in that his father is not only his boss, but also his friend, saying, “What a ride life’s been!”]

Q. What interested you in becoming a Tavern League member?

In my first week of business, I was picked up by two other tavern owners and taken to the Washington County Tavern League meeting. I joined that day and have been a member now for 43 years.

Q. What Tavern League offices have you held?

I have been the Washington County Tavern League treasurer for the last 10 years.

Q. In your opinion, what are the most important issues facing Tavern League members today?

I do not like the proliferation of gambling machines in the private sector, and the monopolistic tendencies and uncaring attitudes from our purveyors. I don’t like looking at gambling machines at gas stations. Police officers refuse to enforce the law.

Q. What do you enjoy most about being in a leadership position with the TLW? First off is having control of the money. Overseeing that money is all-important. Years ago, people would come to the meeting and ask for money. Now we have a committee to disburse funds. Our league has worked hard to be able to donate substantial amounts of money to deserving charities for many years. Our donation this year was two water rescue suits to all 13 fire departments in Washington County at a cost of $21,000. We also gave $1,000 each to the Washington County Dive Team, Humane Society and Habitat for Humanity. In the past, we purchased a water rescue boat for Washington County, and a laser measuring device to assist the sheriff’s department in the event of an active shooter situation.

Q. How else are you involved in your community?

The Pour House is a league-driven bar with the best bartenders, and pool and dart shooters, and a solid core of great customers. We raise a lot of money for different charities. We just had a fundraiser three months ago and raised $18,000 for Mike Powers in his fight against brain cancer. Here, we shake some dice and have some fun.

Either way, let’s have one! TLW THE POUR HOUSE 22 S. Main St., Hartford, WI 53027 (262) 673-7108 | thepourhouse.net

26

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

www.tlw.org

CORPORATE SPOTLIGHT CORNERSTONE PROCESSING SOLUTIONS

C

ornerstone Processing Solutions has been a proud member of the TLW family for more than 20 years.

The company provides three primary business solutions for members: credit card processing, ATMs and point-ofsale (POS) systems.

“Cornerstone offers solutions to increase the profitability, efficiency and knowledgeability of Tavern League members,” says Brad Palubiak, president. “Our low rates and product offerings increase merchants’ profitability. Our POS solutions assist businesses in operating more efficiently. Our expertise and experience in the industry allow us to guide and direct merchants on the latest technology and security enhancements in the industry.”

Palubiak explains that Cornerstone is different than its competitors because the company does not work with a specific processor or product line. “We know that, just because one processing solution works well for one business, it may not work well for another business. We customize our solution to each business we work with to ensure they have the best ATM, credit processing or POS system for their business.” He adds that most businesses in this space base their solutions on what makes them the most money.

Palubiak also says that Tavern League members should be aware of a new offering in the industry: the cash discount or credit card surcharge program. Put plainly, this program allows the business owner to pass credit card processing fees back to the customer. With this program, the business owner pays a small monthly fee of between $20 and $30; there are no other annual or monthly fees. This fee then allows the business owner the ability to offer cash-paying customers standard pricing, while card-paying customers pay a nominal fee — “small enough they won’t blink an eye,” according to Palubiak, who also mentions that “this program is saving tavern owners hundreds, even thousands of dollars every month.”

Cornerstone Processing Solutions became a Tavern League corporate sponsor in 1999, the same year Palubiak founded his Oshkosh-based business. In fact, the company is the only credit card, ATM and POS provider that has been a Tavern League partner that long. “We joined the Tavern League to support the businesses that support us! Quite honestly, we found taverns and restaurants to be our market niche, and we appreciate the ability to interact with the industry through the Tavern League,” says Palubiak. “As your local merchant advisors, we are here to provide a profitable solution for your business. We have seen many competitors www.tlw.org

come and go, and their feedback has always been resoundingly similar — that we offer the best rates and fees.”

Cornerstone has been to every Tavern League convention since 1999. In addition, the organization not only attends, but also sponsors Legislative Days, local league meetings and various Tavern League events. “We enjoy our role as corporate sponsor,” Palubiak says.

“We customize our solution to each business we work with to ensure they have the best ATM, credit processing or point-of-sale system for their business.”

— Brad Palubiak, Cornerstone Processing Solutions Cornerstone has built its business model on word-ofmouth referrals, and the trust it’s built with merchants by providing a best-rate guarantee, month-to-month agreements and, of course, quality customer service. Because the firm operates on thin margins, it can provide customers with competitive rates. In addition, the staff prides itself on friendly and personalized customer service. “Our reputation is everything to us; that is why we are still standing side by side with Tavern League members after all these years. It’s a true win-win for all; Tavern League members save money, and receive the best products and services, while supporting a small, locally owned business that supports them!”

Palubiak thanks Tavern League staff and members for their ongoing support over the past 22 years. “We are proud to represent and promote the TLW. Ask us how we can boost your local league membership and dollars.” TLW CORNERSTONE PROCESSING SOLUTIONS (855) POS-ATMS or (920) 651-8888 cornerstoneps.net NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

27

FEATURED AFFILIATES Illinois Casualty Company For more than 70 years, Illinois Casualty Company has focused its energy and expertise on the food and beverage industry. “We have specialized in insuring bars and restaurants since our company was founded in 1950,” says Howard Beck, chief underwriting officer, Illinois Casualty Company. “Our team knows how to handle the unique claims that come from bars and restaurants.”

Illinois Casualty Company became a TLW affiliate member in January 2018 to support the tavern industry in Wisconsin.

Specifically founded to provide insurance products and aggressive claims defense exclusively for the food and beverage industry, the company recognizes that establishments serving alcohol require unique insurance protection. Its goal is to meet the industry’s full range of business insurance needs, and its seven decades of dedication have helped the company earn the respect of its agents, policyholders and key industry organizations.

Over 90% of the company’s business comes from bars and restaurants, and it insures more than 5,000 restaurants, nightclubs, taverns, package liquor stores, fraternal organizations, banquet facilities, wineries, convenience stores and caterers. Illinois Casualty Company’s coverage options include business owners, liquor liability, property, general liability, umbrella and workers compensation.

Business owners insurance provides coverage for your business’ property, contents, income and liability to patrons and vendors. An exciting new offering is coverage for cyber loss built into every business owners policy. “It has become an increasing source of claims and litigation,” according to Beck.

Another type of coverage the company offers is liquor liability insurance, which provides coverage for liability resulting from selling or serving alcoholic beverages. This is available as a standalone policy for many types of businesses. Coverage also comes with a commitment to training. Its OnTAP server training focuses on providing clients with the facts up front, so they can conduct business in a way that reduces claims.

“Many insurance companies will insure your business,” says Beck. “We specialize in and focus on the food and beverage industry. If someone claims they were hurt on your premises or because of your actions, you want Illinois Casualty Company to be your insurance carrier.”

ILLINOIS CASUALTY COMPANY 225 20th St., Rock Island, IL 61201 (800) 445-3726 | ilcasco.com

28

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Mass Appeal Inc. Going into his 50th year in business, Tom Wilkinson continues to find ways to expand and innovate his business.

He owns Mass Appeal in Green Bay, which offers custom screen-printing, embroidery and promotional products.

Wilkinson is a long-time Tavern League affiliate member and participated in his first trade show in the mid-1970s.

“We offer thousands of advertising items to help promote your business,” says Wilkinson. His motto says it all: Your logo is our business! “Our showroom is a place where you can come to touch and feel the products we offer,” says Wilkinson. “When you come into our shop, it’s all organized and easy to find. The hardest part is making a choice.”

Mass Appeal is a massive operation. Wilkinson just bought a new facility that is three-fifths the size of a football field. He has one of the largest showrooms around, showcasing over 1,700 different garments; more than 300 caps and hats; and 3,000 promotional products like pens, glassware, bar chips, can koozies, business cards, first aid kits, keychains and more.

If the items available in Mass Appeal’s showroom aren’t enough, the company’s website offers more than 950,000 different items that can be imprinted with your business name or logo. The organization sells nationwide, and most of its business is repeat and referred by word of mouth. Because Mass Appeal deals with such a high volume and buys in bulk, Wilkinson can keep his price points lower than competitors and pass the discount onto his customers. “It’s a win-win situation and that is why we have so much repeat business,” he says.

In addition, recognizing that the East and West Coasts are always ahead of the Midwest in fashion styles, Wilkinson’s 50-year relationship with vendors allows him to purchase goods at a discount and then sell them here in the Midwest.

Customers can also mix and match products to get quantity discounts. And while Mass Appeal is subject to some of the same supply chain issues all businesses are facing right now, its breadth of vendors allow it to make reasonable product substitutions to ensure customers get their products in a timely manner.

MASS APPEAL INC. 1566 Lineville Rd., Green Bay, WI 54313 (920) 469-2000 massappealinc.com

www.tlw.org

Northwoods Fire Protection When someone has a fire emergency, they probably call the fire department or 911. When a business owner wants to avoid having a fire emergency, they call Northwoods Fire Protection.

A new TLW affiliate member, Northwoods Fire Protection offers an extensive list of fire protection services. The company delivers, inspects, maintains, tests and repairs all types of fire extinguishers. It installs and services all types of fire suppression systems. It provides hands-on staff training, and checks and services emergency and exit lighting.

Emergency service is also available 24 hours a day. “We can provide everything you need to keep your properties and employees safe,” says owner Kerry Junk.

Junk is no stranger to the fire protection industry. Her parents ran a fire protection business in Manitowoc, and she recalls taking fire extinguishers to school for show and tell. Her husband, Steve Junk, worked for Kerry’s parents and, when they retired, Steve and Kerry went off on their own and started Northwoods Fire Protection 11 years ago.

Based in Shawano, the company services businesses in the Northwoods, and northeastern and central Wisconsin.

protection equipment every year or twice a year. We want to give them great fire protection service at a great price.”

Northwoods Fire Protection also works around customers’ schedules, which in some cases, means working in the middle of the night. “If you need it done, we will do it on your time,” Junk emphasizes. After all, investing in and maintaining your business’ fire protection systems are critical to your long-term success.

“There’s no doubt that fire protection saves lives and property,” says Junk. “From suppression systems above your cooking area to fire extinguishers that are easy to access for your employees, they can be a lifesaver.” TLW NORTHWOODS FIRE PROTECTION Shawano (715) 851-6939 or (920) 323-9771 northwoodsfireprotection.com

This family-owned business offers 30 years of fire protection service experience. All technicians are trained and insured to follow federal, state and local codes. In addition, the company is a member of the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors and the National Fire Protection Association, which provides additional training and educational opportunities for employees.

“I am very big on training our employees to be sure they are up on the newest codes,” says Junk. “We want to keep customers updated and these associations provide us the tools we need to keep clients informed of the changing market.”

What makes this business successful is its commitment to dependability and trust. According to Junk, “Northwoods Fire Protection is committed to giving the most dependable service to maintain the trust that enables us to build lasting relationships with our customers and make them comfortable doing business with us.”

The company also aims to give customers a fair price by managing overhead. “Our overhead is not as big as a large corporation, so we can keep our prices low and competitive,” says Junk. “We strive to be cost-effective because we understand customers have a duty to maintain their fire www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

29

NEW MEMBERS AS OF OCT. 10, 2021 STATE ONLY Dotty’s Bar and Bistro Craig Kimball Black Earth

DISTRICT 1

Dave’s Saloon Cathy and Jim Meinen New Munster Steve O’s Flip Flops & Tank Tops Stephen Fairchild Whitewater

Kenosha City Lakeshore Pedal Tours Meryl Strichartz Kenosha Lot 31 Ronnie Bissland Kenosha Tavern on Sixth Inc. Kenosha Tuscany Bistro Bar & Grill Theresa Robinson Kenosha

Racine City Bernie’s Pizzeria Bernard Willing Racine

DISTRICT 2 Columbia County Waddle Inn Jack Fobes Lodi

Dodge County The Hill Tavern Joe Wood Beaver Dam

Waukesha County Golden Lake Pub Michael Brancato Oconomowoc

Racine County

Wisconsin Indoor Golf Center Christopher Verhoff Waukesha

JD’s Taste of Texas John Gomez Waterford

DISTRICT 3

TinCan Roadhouse Candi Lucksted Union Grove

Rock County

Walworth County Broken Spoke Tavern & Eatery Aaron Aggerwal Genoa City

n

On Premise

Dells Camping Resort Bert Davis Wisconsin Dells

Grant/Iowa County

Showboat Mike Jones Edgerton

30

Dells/Delton Area

n

Coach’s Pub, Grub & Treats Kelly Droessler and Tim Nolcen Cuba City

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

Gangster’s Bar & Grill Hazel Green

Manitowoc County

Thirsty Farmer Nick Leonard Cobb

Double Headers James and Kristin Weber Valders

Juneau County

Sheboygan County

County Pub Kathleen Lynch Juneau

La Crosse City/ County Cheap Andy’s LAX Andrew Schmitz La Crosse Codgers Bar Collin and Natasha Olerud Chaseburg Glory Days Sports Pub Blake Schoh La Crosse Horstmann Homestead Farm and Events LLC Nanul Horstmann West Salem

Monroe County Tabor Bar & Grill Matheu Defliger Hillsboro

DISTRICT 4 Fond du Lac City/ County The Doghouse Dawn Smet Fond du Lac

Butch & Anne’s Pine Grove Butch and Anne Fintelmann Elkhart Lake

Winnebago County Paine Art Center and Gardens Laura Rommelfanger Oshkosh

DISTRICT 5 Langlade County Victor’s Country Store Robert Peot Jr. Pickerel

Marathon County Knights Bar Marie Knight Eland

Marquette County CJ’s Rooster Shack Saloon Denise Blader Neshkoro

Waupaca County The Booze Barn LLC Heidi Beyersdorf Ogdensburg

Waushara County Klinger’s Real Barbecue Spencer Klinger Wautoma

www.tlw.org

STATE MENT OF OWNERSHIP

Wood County

DISTRICT 8

Debasement Bar Ken Day Port Edwards

Burnett County

DISTRICT 6

Lincoln County

Brown County The Settlement Charles Bouche Green Bay

Forest County Ducks Bar & Grill Valerie Evensen Crandon Hotel Crandon Steve Weber Crandon

Marinette County Timberline Resort Bar & Grill Jesse Milquet Crivitz

Oconto County Trail Side Bar and Grill Jessica Milquet De Pere Wendt’s Sandbar Resort Jason Wendt Townsend

DISTRICT 7 Barron County Big Moon LLC Ryan Kutzik Clayton

Chippewa County Bloomer Moose Lodge #1077 Brian Yohnk Bloomer

Pepin County Ryan’s Sport Shop Ryan Casey Durand

Joker’s Bar Todd Satter Grantsburg Casa Amigos Yareldi Gutierrez Merrill

Oneida County Beachcomber Lounge Rebecca West Rhinelander Casa Mexicana Alejandro Jacinto Rhinelander Sunset Grill Anthony Petreikis Three Lakes

Price County Meister’s Bar & Grill Phillips Soo Lake Bar & Grill LLC Mark Mahoney and Kara Schanes Phillips

Rusk County Glory B’s Irish Pub Justin Quinn Bruce Pour House Tavern Jeff and Kim Grasley Bruce

Vilas County Aqualand Ale House Joel Miner Boulder Junction

Washburn County Club Northern Tom Morris Minong Heartwood Resort & Conference Center Mark Wallskog Trego

Pierce County Bold Burger River Falls

Trempealeau/Buffalo County Drift Inn LLC Dave Barnhart Fountain City

DISTRICT 9 Milwaukee County Old Skoolz Tim Wishman Franklin

Ole Joe’s Jeff Jandl Fountain City www.tlw.org

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

31

AFFILIATE MEMBERS AS OF OCT. 10, 2021 3 Sheeps Brewing Company 21st Century Financial Services A-1 Amusement Ackley Novelty Adams County Chamber of Commerce & Tourism Allied Games American Entertainment Services American Family Insurance/Chris R. Lueth Agency American Income Life Insurance Company Amusement Devices Inc. American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) Ansay & Associates B&K Bar Supplies B-M Music & Games Badgerland SenText Badger Mats Badger Mutual Insurance Company Baird Financial Advisors/ Farley Forster Herbenson Group Baraboo Sysco Food Services Bar-i Liquid Accounting BarRags Drinkwear Bay Towel Linen and Uniform Rental Bayland Insurance Benedict Refrigeration Services Best Bargains Inc. Bevinco Bill’s Distributing Blue Honey Bio-Fuels Bob Schuchardt Insurance Agency Bowling Centers Association of Wisconsin Brakebush Brothers Brass Foundry Brewing Company Brat Stop Products Brew Pub Lotzza Motzza Pizza Bromak Sales Inc. Bullseye Games Captain Ken’s Foods Certified Professional Restoration

32

n

On Premise

n

Chambers Travel Community Business Development Corporate Casuals LLC D&D Amusement Games Davis & Kuelthau Delafield Brewhaus Delicious Foods of Wisconsin Inc. Demon Spirits DeVere Company Inc. Edge One El Cortez Hotel & Casino Emil’s Pizza Enviro-Master Services of Milwaukee e-tailer Inc./RocketDSD EZ Dock/Pike Dock and Marine Fabiano Brothers Inc. Face Card Promotions/ Ad-Tabs Fein Brothers Five Verdons LLC Flanigan Distributing Flashpoint Designs Flipside Coin Machines Forest Floor Foods Frank Beer Distributors General Beer Northeast Inc. Gimbel, Reilly, Guerin & Brown Glavinsured Agency Inc. Great Lakes Beverage Great Northern Amusements Gunderson Uniform and Linen Rental Haenco Supplies Holiday Wholesale Inc. The House of Insurance Howe’s Aim to Please Vending HSC Business Brokers Illinois Casualty Company Indianhead Foodservice Distributor Inkworks The Insurance Center The Insurance Group Jahnke Coin Machine Johnson Brothers Justagame Impressions Kaufhold’s Kurds Kessenich’s Ltd. La Crosse Distilling Company

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

La Crosse Loggers Baseball Club Lamers Bus Lines LCSI Lebby’s Frozen Pizza Lee Beverage of Wisconsin LLC Lincoln Contractors Supply Inc. M & R Amusements & Vending LLC Magic Tap LLC Magnuson Inc. Mass Appeal Inc. MBE CPAs McCain Foods Metropolitan Food Service Equipment Midstate Amusement Games Midwest Amusements Midwest Coin Concepts Milwaukee Brewers Mitchell Novelty Company Modern Cash Register Systems Modern Specialty Company Murphy Desmond S.C. National Metalwares Furniture Nei-Turner Media Group Northern Lakes Amusement Northern Oasis Spirits Northwest Coin Machine Northwoods Fire Protection LLC Numbskul Beverage Pabst Brewing Company Paradise Printing Company Park Ridge Distributing Inc. Pay Zero Processing Solutions Pearl Street Brewery Pecatonica Beer Company Pehler Brothers Distributing Precision Pours Inc. Premier Draft Solutions PretzelHaus Bakery/ FUNacho Purecart Enterprises LLC Quaker Bakery Brands Racine Amusement Inc. Ramp Payment Solutions

Red’s Novelty Ltd. Reinhart Foodservice LLC Retriever Merchant Solutions Rhinelander Brewing Company/Minhas Riverside Foods RS Amusements Rum Runner Tropicana Rush Creek Distilling S&S Distributing Inc. Sales & Income Tax Advisory Network Sam’s Amusement Saratoga Liquor Company Inc. Schmidt Novelty Scott’s Vending Inc. Sketchworks Architecture SNfood & Beverage Sports Impressions Stansfield Vending Star Business Machines Stevens Point Brewery Stone Innovations Inc. Superior Beverages LLC Superior Business Systems Superior Vending Taylor Enterprises of Wisconsin Inc. Think LLP Tiger Amusement Tom Sawyer Amusements Tricky Dick Specialties 2 Tri-Mart/Midwest Food & Tobacco Group Van Bookkeeping LLC Van’s Fire & Safety Inc. Vern’s Cheese Inc. Viking Log Furniture Vincent, Urban, Walker & Associates Wausau Coin Machines Inc. Wine Institute Wisconsin Growing Company Wisconsin Hospitality Insured Wisconsin Motorcycle Roads Travel Guide Wisconsin Restaurant Association Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps Wollersheim Winery & Distillery Xtreme Bar Bingo

www.tlw.org

INDUSTRY TRENDS A Cocktail You Can Feel Good About

BY SPENCER FAERBER

K

ing Spirits is both inspired and inspiring. The boutique distiller recently released Hope Town vodka and Walker’s Cay bourbon. Careful sourcing of grains from the United States ensures a consistent product, while the more exotic ingredients are shipped in from the Caribbean islands.

The clarity of the vodka is crystal; the amber of the bourbon is reminiscent of aged American oak. Master marine artist and Jamaican native, Carey Chen, was sought out for the labels’ artwork to maintain the Caribbean theme.

cup. Add a heap of ice. Pour Hope Town Lime vodka and ginger beer, then garnish with a wedge or wheel of lime. Hope Town’s Lime vodka is subtle and tastes of freshly squeezed fruit, not harsh or artificial, which makes the lime wedge purely for appearance, or perhaps an extra tart kick. It’s sweet, bubbly, aromatic and refreshing any time of the year.

Spencer Faerber is the spirits editor of cocktail.com.

Instantaneous Wine Aeration

T

Even though these bottles are crafted in small batches, they’re making a big impact with each. King Spirits currently partners with charitable organizations like Hope Town United, Green Turtle Cay Foundation and the Restore Hope Foundation to help rebuild Caribbean communities when natural disasters strike. Here’s one of my favorite recipes using the humanitarian distiller’s offerings:

The Carolina Mule INGREDIENTS • 1½ oz. of Hope Town Lime Vodka • 6 oz. of Ginger Beer • Mint • Lime Wedges

RECIPE Find yourself a 100% copper cup for the most classic taste. Then bruise one to three mint leaves at the bottom of the glass.

If you don’t have a tool to bruise them, gently roll them between your finger and thumb a few times until they effervesce that savory mint smell, then drop them into the www.tlw.org

he TRIbella wine aerator can create a rapid breathing experience from bottle to glass. Due to its patented, dripless, threestream design, the aerator allows wine to mix with the surrounding air as it pours.

The result is instant aeration.

The TRIbella is made of polycarbonate stainless steel, hand assembled and easy to clean. It includes a protective storage case.

Peach Cobbler in a Can

A

ustin Eastciders introduces its Spiced Peach crisp apple cider with a burst of ripe peaches and undertones of mulling spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, striking a balance between fresh fruit and warm spices. With an aroma of white peaches, cinnamon and orange peel, the new flavor bodes well for the holidays. Like all Austin Eastciders offerings, Spiced Peach is made with real fruit, contains no artificial sweeteners and is glutenfree. It’s available in 12-packs as part of the cidery’s Winter Variety Pack and on draft. Austin Eastciders produces craft ciders in Austin, Texas, using real ingredients and bittersweet apples.

Founded in 2013, the company offers a robust collection including the Original Dry Cider, Blood Orange and Pineapple, plus a rotating line of limited-release ciders.

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

n

On Premise

n

33

INDUSTRY TRENDS Apple Ginger Crush Mocktail

A

fter more than a year of increased pandemic drinking, people are ready to give their bodies some relief.

Bacardi recently found that 0% alcohol by volume (ABV) spirits are receiving more interest than other spirits for two years in a row.

Welcome to mocktails.

Dr. Stacie J. Stephenson, who specializes in functional medicine and wrote a book titled “Vibrant: A Groundbreaking Program to Get Energized, Reverse Aging and Glow,” says

the following Apple Ginger Crush mocktail recipe “is full of soluble fiber, which can help bring down cholesterol. It’s also brimming with polyphenols with anti-inflammatory properties, so while this mocktail tastes like an orchard in a glass, it’s also good for keeping you feeling your best.”

INGREDIENTS • 4 Cups of Seltzer Water • ½ Cup of Fresh Apple Juice • 2 Tablespoons of Fresh Ginger Juice • 1 Apple, Cored and Sliced • 5 Sliced Strawberries • Mint or Thyme Sprigs for a Garnish

RECIPE In a large pitcher, combine the seltzer water, apple juice and ginger juice. Then stir in the apple and strawberry slices. Allow the mixture to steep in the fridge for at least 20 minutes, then serve over ice. This recipe makes one pitcher. TLW

ADVERTISER INDEX Anheuser-Busch. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 anheuser-busch.com Ansay & Associates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 ansay.com B&K Bar Supplies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 bandkbarsupplies.com Breakthru Beverage Group. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 breakthrubev.com Cornerstone Processing Solutions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 cornerstoneps.net

Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcap

PULLTAB PROMOTIONS

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

Johnson Brothers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 johnsonbrothers.com McCain Foods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 mccain.com Molson Coors Beverage Company. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 molsoncoors.com Society Insurance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 societyinsurance.com Wisconsin Amusement and Music Operators (WAMO). . . . . . . . . 2 wamo.net Wisconsin Souvenir Milkcaps. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15, 34 wimilkcaps.com

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

5 Year Frame Warranty Available 25 Year Affiliate Tavern League Member

7100 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis

414.259.9161 • contact@bandkbarsupplies.com

www.BandKBarSupplies.com 34

n

On Premise

n

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2021

www.tlw.org

ENJOY RESPONSIBLY © 2020 Anheuser-Busch, Michelob Ultra® Light Beer, St. Louis, MO 95 calories, 2.6g carbs, 0.6g protein and 0.0g fat, per 12 oz.

LIKE THE CHAMPIONS

FEAR THE DEER CELEBRATE RESPONSIBLY®

©2021 COORS BREWING COMPANY, GOLDEN, CO • BEER