There wasn't much to do in 2020 as restaurants, malls, and other attractions closed down amid the surging pandemic, so naturally, people took to drinking at home, leading to record sales at numerous Minnesota municipal liquor sales for the 25th straight year in a row.

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According to the Office of the State Auditor's most recent annual review, the state saw net profits of $36 million, with total sales coming in at $410.6 million.

What municipal liquor stores found the most success, you ask? 

Well, Bring Me The News points out that it depends on which measurement you use. 

Top 10 Municipal Liquor Stores by TOTAL SALES:

  1. Lakeville — $18,262,397
  2. Richfield — $13,262,924
  3. Edina — $12,117,414
  4. Eden Prairie — $11,711,560
  5. Apple Valley — $10,878,589
  6. Detroit Lakes — $8,900,464
  7. Bemidji — $8,423,238
  8. Elk River — $7,927,706 (Cheers to my hometown!)
  9. Hutchinson — $7,667,360
  10. Columbia Heights — $7,585,383

Top 10 municipal liquor stores by PROFIT MARGIN:

  1. Plainview — 62.6% (net profit $460,102 , sales of $735,130)
  2. Fairmont — 16.4% (net profit $759,241, sales of $4,631,500)
  3. Perham — 15.4% (net profit $682,393, sales of $4,434,307 )
  4. Marshall — 15.2% (net profit $1,044,104 , sales of $6,860,252)
  5. Fergus Falls — 14.8% (net profit $1,122,996, sales of $7,569,406)
  6. Detroit Lakes — 14.7% (net profit $1,308,173, sales of $8,900,464)
  7. Monticello — 14.6% (net profit $1,084,933, sales of $7,405,960)
  8. Pine City — 14.5% (net profit $351,186, sales of $2,417,996 )
  9. Big Lake — 14.4% (net profit $828,634, sales of $5,751,171)
  10. Mora — 13.6% (net profit $602,727, sales of $4,438,807 )

The state of Minnesota is home to 213 municipal liquor stores spread across 179 cities. I think it is safe to say that Minnesotans do love their alcohol, and it seems the pandemic only fostered that love. 

The only question: did sales continue to climb in 2021? Let us know your predictions in the comments below.

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