image0011The Isle Muni was established February 7, 1946, initially as a bar (On sale) and later added a liquor store (Off Sale).   The store has been at several locations in the downtown Isle area, and in the current structure at Hennepin and Main since about 1978.  The Muni has for the most part always given a portion of its profits back to the City of Isle to defray taxes for those who live in Isle City limits.

The current manager is Shannon Schminkey.  Her parents have owned a resort and bar on Big Sandy Lake since 1981, with Off-Sale, On-Sale, Kitchen, and Camping.  By 1989, Shannon was working in a significant capacity in her parent’s business, including running the restaurant and bar.  Shannon has college with emphasis in Accounting, business and HR.  She worked in the Twin Cities for 17 years before coming back north to help her folks with their business again from 2005 to 2015.  It was in 2015 that she came on board as the Manager of the Isle Municipal Liquor Store.

She notes that the City has a great location with its present store, and has reasonable pricing in both the bar and Off-Sale.   She has facilitated the menu growing in size and quality since coming on board, knowing that good food brings people in and keeps them there longer.  Some features are homemade pizza and sandwiches and Muni Munchies.  The Muni also boasts some of the best entertainment bands in the area with a variety of modern rock and roll, classic rock and country bands.   Bands are scheduled at least once a month, and twice a month in the Summer time.   Under Shannon’s lead, the Muni is cleaner, more up to code and there are visions for a better kitchen in the future.  Pricing is in line with local competition.

Shannon is proud of her friendly staff who have great humor and work well together as a team.  Wise inventory management, smart buying and personnel restructuring have even garnered the approval of the Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association who have shared that they feel the store is on the right track.