City soliciting bids for struggling operation and its inventory
A decision that seemed to be inevitable came to fruition Monday night when the Balaton City Council moved to put the Balaton Liquor Store and its inventory up for sale.
Putting the struggling business up for sale was somewhat of a last resort. Many measures have been taken to revive the liquor store after a January community meeting was held to let residents voice their opinions.
After that meeting, many of those people packed the building in show of support, but outside of that evening and a few special events that have taken place since then, business has lagged.
“I think it’s just small-town economics that are playing into this,” Balaton Mayor Lonnie Lambertus said after Monday’s council meeting. “Within a few years, if things don’t change with our economy, things are going to be in a worse situation.”
The council voted unanimously to put the business up for sale, with councilman Tracy McCloud abstaining.
The liquor store has been operating in a deficit for some time, a trend that goes back at least five years. In 2021, the business had a net profit of more than $14,000, but the following year suffered a $1,368 net loss.
Another net profit ($7,820) was experienced in 2023, but the fluctuation continued in 2024 with a net loss of more than $20,000. That number grew in 2025.
The City is now accepting sealed bids for the purchase of the Cityowned property. Bids must be received before noon on Friday, Nov. 13, 2026. City staff will publicly open, read and tabulate the bids at 6 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 16, at City Hall.
The successful bidder will have 14 days to execute a purchase agreement and provide payment. The City reserves the right to waive, delete or amend any of the requirements
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It’s better to sell a business while it’s viable. Best-case scenario is to have someone come in and offer us a decent price, and to have that person follow through.
— BALATON MAYOR LONNIE LAMBERTUS connected with this bid.
One of the conditions of the purchase is that the successful bidder must continue current operations of the liquor store.
“It’s better to sell a business while it’s viable,” Lambertus said. “Best-case scenario is to have someone come in and offer us a decent price, and to have that person follow through.”
The building, which was built in 1998, has been appraised at $673,500 ($654,600 less exclusions). Content value is listed at $72,900.
In other business …
• The council discussed in length a proposed ordinance amendment to Section 801.6 of the Balaton City Code, which pertains to unlawful parking and storage. The council will vote on the proposed amendment at its next meeting.
• Follow-up letters will be sent to a number of residences in town deemed nuisance properties.
• Representatives from the Balaton Library will try to attended a future Lyon County Board of Commissioners meeting concerning proposed cuts to the library, which have been outlined as part of the County’s preliminary levy for 2027. The council talked about ideas on how to cover salaries in the future if the proposed cuts come to fruition.
