1/18/12
Dear friends,
“Another Question Answered…”
“Why do Kansas and Illinois have a larger selection of wine and spirits than Missouri?”This question is frequently asked by our customers. People that visit other states; Colorado, Texas, Utah or New York ask this question. The simple answer is “grocery stores and Walmart.” A supplier sells alcohol to a distributor. The distributor then sells to retail outlets. Suppliers need to license their product with the state. They also need some confidence that, once their products are licensed, they will sell.In Kansas, only liquor stores can sell most products. In Illinois, they have Chicago, which means a built-in diverse market that benefits the whole state. Before Lukas Liquor Superstore came to town ten years ago, the only places a supplier could sell their products were in 132 grocery stores or Walmarts. Suppliers do not want their products sitting on a shelf at Shop n Save collecting dust…
Can you imagine ten years ago a Schnucks store trying to sell Boyd and Blair Vodka, a Dierbergs trying to sell ‘The Irishman,’ a Shop n Save selling Hangar One or a Walmart selling Jefferson’s Reserve Bourbon? National suppliers have always considered Missouri a secondary market. When Lukas opened ten years ago, suppliers finally had an outlet to actually sell their products. We are DIRECTLYresponsible for bringing in dozens of items to be sold in Missouri. Zing Zang Bloody Mary Mix, Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Sobieski Vodka and Waterstone Cabernet Sauvignon are just four of the items that would have never been sold in Missouri if it weren’t for Lukas.
With your help and our hard work, maybe we can turn Missouri into a primary market for suppliers…
Thank you and Go Blues,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
1/12/12
Dear friends,
“I Love January.”
The holidays are over! Gifts have been given and received. A lot of food has been consumed. In some cases, friends and family got together to celebrate the holidays between Thanksgiving and New Year’s. It was great to give, share your home and catch up with your relations. You might have been with people you really enjoy. There was a lot of laughter and good conversation.
I believe, however, that without exception, most of us at sometime during that six weeks thought about our normal routines. We love the holidays but can’t wait to get back to the life we had before the holidays. Some of us missed working out, eating right again, snuggling up with a favorite book or lounging in our chair watching television.
This is why I love January. To me, this month, more than any other month of the year, represents the transition from holiday chaos to the life we all thought abouty during the chaos. So smile folks. January is upon us and it’s great.
Thank you and Go Blues,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
12/14/2011
Dear friends,
“These Holidays”
Merry Christmas everyone! Tis the season to be ________. You fill in the blank.
This is my 40th year in holiday retail. Our customers seem to be in the spirit of the season this year and not as “tense” as previous years. It seems that a lot of you are more comfortable entertaining in your homes this year versus previous years, probably because we’ve noticed that customers are asking a lot more questions about different products that would enhance their libation experience.
This is also the time of year for political correctness. When you are the owner of a small business, you don’t have to be as politically correct as a major corporation, but I feel like we’ve gotten away from the meaning of the words Merry Christmas when we worry too much about who we’re talking to. When you are shopping for wine beer or spirits at my store this time of year, you are probably celebratingsomething. Maybe you’re celebrating Christ’s birth, or maybe you’re celebrating the Festival of Lights. Perhaps you celebrate the coming Solstice or the Airing of Grievances that occurs during Festivus. We’re happy to help with WHATEVER celebration you’re planning (just a reminder – Champagne is ALWAYS a good thing to have on hand – should an unplanned celebration arise – and we’ve got LOTS of exciting Chanpagne to show you!) There are too many options and too many customers rushing to their celebrations for us to ask each you what you’re celebrating, so Merry Christmas seems to sum it all up nicely.
Here at Lukas Liquor, “Merry Christmas” is a state of mind, not an expression of a particular belief. I love wishing people a “Merry Christmas.” My employees have no guideline or policy they have to follow. To me, this is the time of year that we should all give to the needy, express our caring feelings towards each other, worship and be happy.
I can think of no better way to express this time of year than to wish everyone Merry Christmas.
So…..Merry Christmas to all,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
12/2/2011
Dear friends,
“What Gary Wants”
Well guys, we made through another Thanksgiving Holiday. All of us here at Lukas love weeks like that – just being busy, helping customers and having fun. I would like to thank everyone for a successful holiday. Our customer count was up and the number of new customers was very exciting. I feel that most of our customers enjoy shopping here. I mean, let’s face it guys, we all know that Lukas sells a product that makes you feel good – we all get that. What I mean is that this holiday our customers seemed to enjoy the ‘shopping experience’ here at Lukas. If there is ever anything you would like to see changed, please tell us. I guess the fun shopping experience could be a by-product of all of us having fun serving you. The associates here enjoy serving you. Personally, I have always loved retail. It’s all I have done for forty-one years. I really love this job. Thanks again for a great Thanksgiving week.
Thank you,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
11/16/2011
Dear friends,
“Future”
We are making changes at Lukas. The plans are going to be spread out over the next 5 months. I will be updating you periodically so you can be part of the “in crowd.”
Within the next two weeks we plan on moving all offices to the sales floor. We are doing this for several reasons. One of the back offices will be converted into an employee break room. The new offices will be moved to the front-end and will be built 21 inches off the ground. This will bring all managers in touch with the overall needs of our customers. With everyone on the floor we will be able to elevate our customer service dramatically. Eyes will always be on checkouts or the sales floor. No one will be in the back office because there won’t be a back office.
The other change we are making in the next two weeks is the expansion of the beer department. 36 feet will be added to beer because of their performance year to date. We have to give them more space.
Stay tuned, you “in crowd” customers. Exciting things are going to happen in 2012.
(Don’t forget – we will be open 9am -1pm on Thanksgiving!)
Thank you and Go Rams and Blues,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
10/21/11
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Dear friends,
“Fall.”
One of the many things I love about St. Louis is the fact that we have FOUR seasons. I am originally from Texas (but I’m not a Rangers fan), where we have “Summer” and “Winter.” The four seasons in St. Louis can be SO defined in some years, and this year is no exception. There is a ‘Fall’ among us!
In the Wine & Spirits business, you can tell what the season is by the purchases of your customers. Our red wine customers really come out when the temperature is cool. White goods in spirits begin to convert to brown goods. Domestic beer sales shift to micro and craft beers.
Imagine sitting outside on a perfect fall afternoon enjoying a pumpkin beer from Schlafly or O’Fallon. You’re curled up on the sofa drinking Fulton’t Harvest Pumpkin Liqueur (already over 200 bottles sold this Fall). You’reoutside around the fire pit sipping Cabin Fever Maple Flavored Whiskey… Have you tried Bacardi’s new Spiced Rum yet? Who doesn’t love a good Port after dinner? Let’s not forget MY favorite… Cognac!
Fall is in the air, folks. It’s time to drink.
Thank you and GO CARDINALS!
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
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9/23/11
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Dear friends,
“Another Great Event.”
What a great event last Sunday. Our 5th annual “Amazing Taste” to support Angels’ Arms was a big success. The event, once again, had to be moved into the parking garage. I swear, if this town is ever in a drought, just plan a Lukas event and it will rain.
Unlike last year, however, we had more than an hour to set-up in the garage. We haven’t got any totals yet, but the estimated crowd numbered around nine-hundred with suppliers paying for 87 tables.
Personally, I thought everyone had a great time and I know the suppliers were very happy. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate my birthday than to be surrounded by hundreds of happy people raising money for a great organization like Angels’ Arms.
Thanks again for another successful event,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
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9/15/2011
Dear friends,
“Amazing Taste & Lukas Liquor.”
As you all know, the “Amazing Taste” will be held on Sunday, September 18th to support Angels’ Arms. Five years ago we began this event in our back parking lot. We had fifty tables of wines, spirits and beer, some food and about four hundred customers. The event is now in the Wildwood Center, over 90 tables serving 1200 customers and great food. Thank you.
A lot of people, however, still do not know about Angels’ Arms. This is a non-profit charity that helps foster brothers and sisters stay together when they need each other the most. Can you imagine, the only friend you might have in the world is your sibling? Because of events you cannot control, you are separated, placed into different homes and alone. Angels’ Arms makes sure this does not happen. They raise money, buy houses, and create a nurturing environment for these children. They make sure NO siblings are separated.
I have visited these homes and know in my heart that Angels’ Arms is making a positive impact in our world. Visit their website, please. I’ll see you all on September 18th.
Sincerely,
Gary Bilder
Owner of Lukas Liquor Superstore
and proud resident of this great community
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Joe,
Just added you to our email/general-interest list. Please feel free to contact us if you have any further questions and thanks much for your support.
Cheers,
-Adam M. England
Spirits Manager