Herman Liquor Store --
on Herman's main street since 1966
by Olivia Richards,
Herman Review
The Herman Municipal Liquor Store is located in the middle of Herman, on the corner of Hwy 9 and Hwy 27. It has entrance doors facing either highway.
The establishment buzzes with activity on Friday evenings, especially on the third Friday of the month. That's when trivia fans gather at 9 p.m. to participate with Shaun Siegel of Wheaton, who provides questions to test the teams' intelligence on a variety of subjects. Later, Shaun provides music for everyone's listening and dancing enjoyment.
Another form of entertainment held at the Liquor Store is karaoke night, when anyone can capture the spotlight and sing a favorite song. The next planned karaoke night is Friday, November 8. Tresie's DJ and Karoake (Lachowitzer) of Herman will provide the tunes and the equipment for an entertaining evening.
You can stop by on Tuesday evenings to watch a dart league in action. John Honzo, manager at the Liquor Store, says there are 26 traveling teams, with four members per team. Herman is represented by two teams, while the others hail from Wheaton, Dumont, and Tintah. A pool table and foosball provide other entertainment.
Last August a deep fryer was installed to add a snack menu of chicken, chicken drummies, cauliflower and mushroom bites, mini-tacos, and more, to accompany a favorite drink. In addition, employees can bake a prepared pizza.
Honzo has been manager of the Liquor Store since last January, when previous manager, Sally Larson and her family, moved to the community of Windom. Colleen Oachs is the assistant manager, while Tanya Gulbrandson, LaRee Bertram, Giny Itzen, Lisa Snook, and Jessica Krejce work part-time.
Historically, a 19-year liquor drought ended on Monday morning, August 2, 1965, when village authorities opened the door of a new municipal liquor store in the then American Legion Building on Herman's main street. The Legion moved its meeting place to the basement of the Double-D Hotel.
The opening in 1965 marked the first time in 19 years that legal liquor purchases could be made within the corporate limits of Herman. A "local option" law, passed by the 1965 legislative session made the new store possible. Towns with long histories of voting "wet" were able, under the law, to open stores without any further elections. Herman voted 235 to 106 in favor of legalized liquor in 1963, when the last election was held.
Before that, Herman's last liquor store venture ended in the summer of 1946 when a store located in the Hanson Drug business was closed on a legal technicality after operating for nine months.
The village fathers proceeded cautiously, leasing the Legion facilities for a six-month period, paying a rental rate of $175 per month. Feeling that the venture was going well, they decided to build a new building.
Bids for the new Herman Liquor Store were awarded in January, 1966. Construction began in February. The business opened its door for business on August 4, 1966, with Lloyd Christians as its manager. Local contractors involved in the project were Vipond Construction and Milo's Electric of Herman, and Hoffman Plumbing and Heating. The building was built at a cost of $75,000.
An official grand opening was held November 18, 1966, nearly 36 years ago.
Today, under Honzo's management, the Herman Liquor Store is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. until 1 a.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. until 1 a.m.
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