CC_Minutes_2013_1118 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Regular City Council Meeting Monday,November 18, 2013 Page 23 that one of their business's key tenants was preventing sales to minors; noting that with a large operation such as there, they usually were not conducive to attracting minors. Mr. Trone referenced the number of sentiments expressed earlier at tonight's meeting regarding the importance of freedoms; and opined that one of those free- doms included allowing consumers to choose where they wanted to shop. Based on the success of their business model, Mr. Trone opined that government should allow consumers to make that choice. Mr. Trone recognized the opposition of the Minnesota Licensed Beverage Asso- ciation in their attempt to keep out competition; and while not wanting to belittle their stores that did a great job and provided a great service; opined that their business model should also be given a fair chance to offer consumers a choice and let them decide whether to shop with Total Wine or with their competitors. In addressing the negative allegations about his family and their reputation, Mr. Trone assured their intent in running a quality business. However, if over that last twenty years, they had been cited for any transgressions in this heavily-regulated business growing across the nation, they had resolved those issues and moved forward. Mr. Trone recognized that competitors would complain; however, he al- so clarified that his family firm had never had a license revoked or not renewed; and anticipated continued growth and operate the best package law abiding by state and local laws, which their traffic would prove. Mr. Trone noted that he had a law degree, and his brother a law degree; and therefore, were very cognizant of the requirements and regulations. Mr. Trone expressed his and his family's inter- est in serving the citizens of Roseville and the surrounding area by providing the best shopping experience possible. At the request of Councilmember Laliberte, Mr. Trone confirmed that this would be their firm's first license in the State of MN. At the request of Councilmember McGehee, Mr. Trone responded that they had applied for a license in the City of Bloomington, had already hired their team members, and were scheduled to open soon. However, the Friday before the Bloomington City Council was to consider their license application, the Minneso- ta Licensed Beverage Association had submitted a similar packet of materials as referenced by City Attorney Gaughan; prompting their City Attorney to ask for additional time to review that substantial amount of information; with the subse- quent result of the Public Hearing being rescheduled. Mr. Trone expressed his frustration and disappointment that those materials had not been provided for re- view earlier; however, he stated that such disappointments were part of doing business.