Target Debuts Otsego Store With Full Liquor Selection
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- You can buy a lot at a Target store in Minnesota. But if you're looking for alcohol, your selection is limited to just a few types of beer.
That is unless you visit Target on 87th Avenue Northeast in Otsego, where a new pilot program is giving customers a new option to buy booze.
"We've been hearing from guests for a long time that they want us to offer a full liquor assortment, and be that one-stop shop," said Jessica Sharratt, the store's team leader. "So we were really excited to pilot that for the company and for our Minnesota guests."
Sharratt says in 1,600-square feet of clean design, the store packs a wide array of spirits and beer -- both craft and national brands.
"And we have a full variety of wine, including our award-winning wine Cube, that we've won over 200 awards for," Sharratt said.
Seeing how that private-label wine, convenience and price resonates with shoppers is all part of the plan.
Any six bottles of wine can be mixed and matched, and purchased for a 10-percent discount, and your Target Red Card can be used for five-percent off of any alcohol purchase.
"We've had guests coming in here and taking pictures and texting their friends, and (we're) just really excited to offer this as a one-stop shop," Sharratt said.
But not everyone sees it that way. Tim Phillips is the owner of Riverview Liquorette down the block.
"I guess the corporate world has come to Otsego," Phillips said.
He wonders why Target was issued a license to sell alcohol in his neighborhood at all.
"I was a little disappointed that our city leaders decided to ... allow so many locations in such a small community," Phillips said. "Especially a corporate one, when the rest of us are all family owned."
Target will be the fourth liquor store within about a block, and that has Phillips and the other owners concerned.
"Hopefully there's enough business for all of us," he said.
The Target liquor store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and closed on Sunday.
