After more than 33 years working at the Wadena Municipal Liquor Store, Ray Hoffman is retiring.
He has been the manager of the city's liquor store for about the last 12 years, he said.
"It's been a nice place to work," he said. "[With] nice people to work with through the years."
Assistant Manager Jody Christianson has worked with Hoffman for many years and said he is very patient and tolerant. She has enjoyed working with him.
"He's been great to work with," she said. "We'll miss seeing him every day. It will be a lot different."
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A typical day for Hoffman usually involves the daily banking and stocking of liquor and wine. He makes sure there is the right amount of back stock. Hoffman also does his share of dusting and mopping the floor, he said.
He also meets with salesmen, getting the best buys he can find. His job has been made easier by having a good team to work for him.
"I've been very fortunate," he said. "I've had very good employees."
Not every day has been typical at the liquor store, though. Over the years, two vehicles have run into the wall of the liquor store, Hoffman said.
"What a mess that made, all the broken bottles," he said.
The brick was damaged after one of the crashes and the wall had to be repaired.
Working in the liquor industry, checking IDs is a very important part of the job, he said. Also, if someone comes in that has had too much to drink already, a person has to refuse a sale.
During his years as manager of the liquor store, he has been successful at making a profit for the city. He attributes this to watching his inventory closely.
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"Paying attention to detail, the pricing, watching your buys and inventory," Hoffman said.
He increases or decreases prices as needed.
"You can't just stock the basement with inventory," he said. "If something doesn't move, put something new in."
Thinking of his memories of the liquor store, Hoffman said he will miss working there.
"Immensely," he said. "I will miss this very much. The employees and the customers."
And, also all the department heads and city employees he has worked with over the years.
Hoffman plans to do nothing for a while after he finishes out the end of the year at the liquor store. But after a while, he has things to fix and wants to fit in some fishing, he said.
