Nisswa council agrees to pursue Spirits liquor store expansion

NISSWA — Spirits of Nisswa municipal liquor store may see a 10% building expansion when adjacent property is developed.

The Nisswa City Council agreed to pursue the expansion from 6,000 square feet to 6,600 square feet at the recommendation of the city's liquor committee and Spirits Manager Brian Farrell.

The action came at the council's regular meeting Tuesday, April 16, after Farrell gave a report.

The Schaefer family, owner of Schaefer's Foods, owns the Spirits building, located just south of the grocery store and its parking lot. Earlier this year, the Schaefer family announced plans to develop the property next to Spirits, asking if the city would like to expand the liquor store building as part of the development.

After considering many factors, including past sales, profit, growth and needs, the liquor committee recommended the 10% expansion.

Needs include a larger break room, more cooler space to remain competitive with the Brainerd/Baxter area liquor stores, and storage space to house merchandise so Spirits could buy items in bulk for the best price.

Final approval for a larger building will be contingent upon receiving an acceptable lease cost.

Council member Joe Hall said the city should look at how to better protect the long-term interest and viability of Spirits for the future.

Mayor John Ryan reminded the council that the city's liquor fund, which comes from Spirits and the Pickle Factory, provides 11%-12% of the tax levy every year.

The city's newest park along Camp Lincoln Road has a name: Naawayi'ii Zaaga'iganiin, Between the Lakes Park.

The city's parks commission recommended the name after the public submitted potential names, which the community then voted on through a survey in March.

A couple of names had a cultural origin, so city staff contacted the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe regarding the use of those names.

"The idea is it's a bilingual name," Amber Moon Peterson, parks and recreation director, told the council.

The park features an entry drive, parking lot and 1,800 feet of trail. An additional 3,800 feet of trail will be built. A vault toilet should be delivered in early July.

Council member Jesse Zahn was absent April 16.

In other business, the council:

• Approved the audited financial statements for 2023. The council had an audit presentation before the regular meeting.
• Discussed and approved land use and development ordinance revisions that are a continuation of an overall review and revision of the land use ordinance.
• Learned of upcoming events in the city, including a Brewery Series Fun Run on June 8 at Roundhouse Brewery and June 9 at Bix Axe Brewing Co.; the Firecracker Run on July 6; and the sixth annual A&W Cruisin' Night Car Show on July 6.
• Approved a 2025 budget schedule of meetings.
• Approved a Sourcewell community match funds grant application for up to $10,000 in matching funds to buy police tasers.
• Agreed to submit a final application for Sourcewell Community Impact funding of $50,000 to go toward costs for a city hall roof and windows project, estimated at a total of $193,831. Projects that meet funding criteria are entered into a lottery drawing and awarded at random.
• Met in a closed meeting to consider an offer for property purchase.

Find recordings of Nisswa City Council meetings on the city's YouTube channel.