Randy Miller, a member of the Liquor Store Committee in Balaton, put it bluntly as he read a statement to the Balaton City Council on Monday.
Miller said the committee has been meeting since January, working to find ways to increase traffic and revenue to the struggling liquor store. He said they have been wrestling with a difficult question concerning the future of the business.
“The reality has become increasingly difficult to ignore,” Miller said. “In the next three to four months, we will come full circle once again and be staring directly at a decision that will determine whether this business has a future, or if it’s a time to bring it to an end.”
The liquor store has long been a topic of discussion — sometimes heated. Last year, the community met to air its thoughts on the business, and one of the only things that was agreed upon was the desire to keep it open.
Since then, the BLS has seen some ups in terms of trac and revenue, but mostly downs, as it continues to struggle to attract customers. Miller said the store has held its own over the last year, but that has not been enough to assuage concerns over its future.
“The committee, along with City employees, deserve credit for keeping the doors open and the business afloat," said Miller. “But let’s not confuse survival with success. It has not produced the results the committee hoped to see."
Major community events during the last year have served as bright spots for the BLS, but consistent business has lacked, leading to consternation and doubt about the future.
“Other months have fallen well short," he said. "We fully expect the next two months to operate in the red."
Miller said the committee has cut unnecessary expenses and has looked for ways to improve profit margins. Those, eorts, he added, have not delivered optimal results.
“There’s no single idea sitting on the shelf that would suddenly transform the BLS into a thriving business," said Miller.
Miller added that the elephant in the room when it comes to the BLS’s success is customers, or lack thereof. New ideas and a change of approach have not cut it, he said.
“There is one thing no committee can manufacture, and that's customers," he said. “A business cannot survive without people walking through the doors and spending their money there. It’s not a criticism, it’s a fact, and it’s time for our community to confront that fact."
Miller said the BLS cannot be sustained just with good intentions, occasional events or a small group of people carrying the responsibility of keeping it open year after year. He said it’s up to responsible leadership to look at the facts, acknowledge the risks and make a potentiall dicult decision.
“My sole recommendation is that now is the time to determine whether to continue operating the BLS is worth the liability," Miller said. "I strongly recommend that the necessary actions be taken to make a firm decision about the BLS’s future … and that a decision and a plan to carry it out be made by the end of this year."
Fellow committee member and councilman Dylan Fricke said the decision needs to be made to either sell the BLS or close it. It is his hope that a sale could take place to someone who would possibly install a full-service kitchen.
BLS manager Ashley Haroldson said she is grateful for everyone who has patronized the business and those who have given donations.
“We appreciate everyone who has come into then bar, we just don’t know what else to do," she said.
Balaton resident LuAnn Anderson said it’s not fair to just point the finger at the community.
"There's stu behind the scenes that needs to be fixed," she said. “You can’t blame just the community for not supporting it. Some of us have tried."
If this year ends in another financial loss - which would be the third straight year of losses — the City would have to hold a public hearing on whether or not it should continue operating the BLS. That meeting would have to occur within the last 25 days of 2027.
The council said it will address the issue again at its October meeting.
The BLS has yet to use any of the $30,000 loan from the EDA. A revised loan agreement was also reached Monday that will keep the City from having to pay interest on the loan since it has yet to access any of those funds.
In other business from Monday …
• The council approved donations of $5,000 from the Balaton American Legion Post No. 237 and $500 from Cans for Kids for the Legion/Lion Park restroom project.
• The council rejected the lone bid for the City’s Lift Station Rehab Project because it exceeded the original project quote and anticipated project budget by a significant margin.
• A public hearing will be held at the next council meeting concerning an ordinance amendment of Section 801.06 of the Balaton City Code (unlawful parking and storage).
• The council approved a primary tax levy for 2027 of 2.74%, or $672,393.12 — an increase of $17,924.08 from the prior year. This number can be lowered but not raised before the levy is certified in December. Last year’s levy increase was 3.59%. The expected General Fund revenue is up $5,314, and General Fund expenses for 2027 are projected to increase $55,666.33.
