Doug Brandt and Scott Krause recently purchased Carl’s Liquor, N2191 County Rd. K, Merrill, which had been owned by Doug’s parents since the mid-1990s.
Brandt and Krause have worked together at the Merrill Fire Department for many years. Brandt is a 30-year veteran of the department and Krause has been there for 22 years.
Doug’s father bought Carl’s Liquor around 1995. After he passed away, Doug’s mother continued to operate the liquor store. However, this year, at the age of 80, she decided it was time to sell the building and the store.
Doug and Scott had talked about starting a business together, but hadn’t considered a liquor store until Doug’s mom said she was ready to sell.
“I’ve always wanted to try my hand at business,” Scott said. “We had been looking at buying something together.”
While Doug’s family owned the business for years, he was already on the fire department when they bought it and never had worked at the store.
“It’s been an experience for all of us,” he said.
Since they took over in September, Brandt and Krause have been busy updating the building. Through the Focus on Energy program, they replaced all the overhead lighting with more efficient bulbs. They expect to save about $1,000 a year on their electric bills. A brand new furnace has also been installed.
The business sign along County Rd. K, which had been dark for years, is now relit with panels for Carl’s Liquor and the attached Josepha’s Salon.
Aided by a low interest loan through Economic Development, future projects include new cooler doors and better insulation in the walls. Both changes will increase efficiency and save on utility costs.
John Benedict has been hired as the manager of Carl’s Liquor. Doug’s son-in-law, John brings experience in retail and management to the business.
“We knew from the beginning that we wanted John to come in with us,” Doug said. The new owners also retained long-time Carl’s Liquor employees Bernie Frick and Denny English.
Carl’s Liquor was started by Tom Carl in the early 1960s.
Under the original ownership, a warehouse was built so the store could purchase large quantities of liquor. When Doug’s parents originally purchased the store, they decided they didn’t need the warehouse and converted it into a hair salon. Doug’s wife, Noreen, owned and operated the salon until she sold it to Josie Countryman three years ago who relocated her business, Josepha’s, into the space. Noreen and their daughter Hailey still work at the salon.
The new owners are working to rebuild the stores stock to offer a wide variety of liquor, beer and wine.
“The stock was down to a minimum,” Doug said. “People were not coming in because there was not the selection.”
Brandt and Krause know that, as the only standalone liquor store in Merrill, they need to offer the best selection in town to draw people to their store. Along with that, they offer an atmosphere that makes people want to come back, Doug said.
Carl’s Liquor is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Sunday. The only day of the year they will be closed is Christmas. The business can be reached at 715-536-7700.