Improvements include better exterior lighting, updating sign and more

By Matthew Johnson

Reporter

The Wolf Lake City Council discussed making some needed improvements to the aging liquor store building with Wolf Lake Liquor Store Manager Kim Conklin, 2021 Frazee High School (FHS) graduate, and others during the Tuesday, Feb. 10, regular monthly council meeting.

Officials are pleased that, following a previous dry spell in terms of making a net profit and an attempt to sell the store to a private party only months ago, the store appears to be turning around to the point of making money for the city again under Conklin’s management. Liquor store sales in January were over $26,585, which is more than $5,000 above store sales made during the same month a year ago and the highest January sales made at the store in many years. The store also made a net profit after expenses last month of over $3,541.

The council asked Conklin to share a list of liquor store improvement ideas. The list included better exterior lighting along with updating the sign on the southeast corner of the store, plus updates to restrooms, floors and replacing cracked sinks in the bar area.

Conklin and the council discussed a number of entertainment ideas to draw more people to the bar, as well as reaching out to various groups such as motorcycle clubs, dart leagues and cornhole players. The Ronald McDonald House Ride to support the Red River Valley Ronald McDonald House Charity will be stopping for lunch on its way through Wolf Lake on Saturday, June 13. Discussion included possibly serving bikers brats and beverages along with other good eats for lunch for a free-will offering.

In other news

• Received a monthly report from Fire Chief Brock Anderson who reported two calls including a house fire and a missing person call that was cancelled. The chief also praised a four-department training at Greenwood Connections in Menahga the department participated in and gave a progress report on the department’s new fire truck that is being prepped for future use.

• Adopted a resolution accepting a $750 donation to the fire department from Lake Region Electric Cooperative.

• Discussed the ongoing search to find someone to lead the committee that oversees the annual Wolf Lake Harvest Festival. Mayor Michelle Suhsen said if someone does not step into that role the festival may not take place this August. Andrea Yliniemi, who has served in that role in past years, does plan to oversee the annual pageant again.

• Passed a motion to give City Clerk Becky Lake a dollar an hour pay raise.

• Regular monthly meetings of the Wolf Lake City Council are usually held at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of the month at city hall.