Marilyn Fuchs, Paynesville, was named the new manager of the Paynesville Liquor Store. Bud Schmiginsky, Paynesville, retires as manager on Jan. 1. The inventory taken on Jan. 1 will be his last official duty at the liquor store. He has been manager for 12.5 years. Fuchs has been a part-time employee with the liquor store for five years. Prior to that, she worked as a bartender at the American Legion. Fuchs has been a bartender off and on since 1977. “Bartending is a great way to meet people. People are drinking smarter as they are more aware of laws and regulations,” she stressed.
Fuchs and Schmiginsky both agreed the liquor business is a trendy business, the fluctuations can be unreal at times, but they always average out. Working at the liquor store provides them an opportunity to meet people from all over the country.
“My goal is to keep the place profitable as Bud has done in the past. The liquor store is a good source of revenue for the city of Paynesville. It has helped pay for many a sidewalk or other improvement project,” Fuchs said. She is married to Cletus Fuchs who works at Valley Dairy, Eden Valley. They have four sons ranging in age from 10 to 16.
The liquor store moved to its present location in 1982. Five years ago, there were about 400 municpal liquor stores in Minnesota. Today that number is about 240. The Paynesville Municipal Liquor Store is open six days a week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Besides Fuchs, it employees three part-time people: Sue Putzke, Brenda Guenther, and Harold Fischbach.
Schmiginsky said he has nothing special planned for his retirement but to do a lot of fishing and sleep in mornings.