Shenanigan's Liquor Closing Jan. 1

 will be out of business as of Jan. 1.

Unfortunately, the store just hadn't received the same amount of business as it once did. Due to the closing, the store is have a huge sale on its inventory and will be open today and Saturday from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. 

"It's been really sad," said Sharon Watschke, manager of Shenanigan's Liquor. "It's particularly due to the economy and because there's too many liquor stores in the community ... I've got right across the street [to compete with]."

Shenanigan's Liquor is one of four other liquor stores located in the city, within about a mile and a half radius. Watschke said after Cub Liquor opened, it made things a bit difficult for their business.

"When you start putting these [big box retailers] in, it kind of takes away from the charm of the small town feeling of the city," Watschke said. 

"I know there is concern about the close proximity [of our liquor stores], but we don’t have anything in our city ordinance that states you can’t have a [similar] business in close proximity to another business," Mayor Bill Droste said.

"Stores closing have a lot to do with the economy and markets, and consumers … how they shop. I’m sure the store across the street had a lot to do with the closing," he said. "Like always, you hate to see stores go out of business ... but we’ve had a lot of new business open, too."

"The economy has been hard on all types of businesses. Using my GROW MN business retention calls as a basis, businesses that have had sufficient capital to bridge revenue losses, and those that have been innovative with their business plan, have been able to withstand the downturn," Ruthe Batulis, Dakota County Chamber of Commerce president, said. 

"We've been going back and forth with the idea of closing since summer. The economy has a lot to do with it and people's buying habits," Watschke said. "It's been my home away from home for 11 years."

The store had 12 employees before Cub Liquor moved in; according to Watschke, she is now down to six employees (not including herself).

"There is always a threat of new competition. Rosemount has a very high rate of occupancy compared to the metro," Batulis said. "The location of that retail center is excellent and I am sure there will a new business there soon."  

Watschke said she's heard some feedback from the community and it has included feelings of anger and shock. 

"I think everyone just thought we'd always be here, but the reality is we can't sustain forever," she said. 

Shenanigans was called Shamrock in 1976 and was owned and operated by the City of Rosemount until 1986 when Fritz Dolejs purchased the liquor store and pub, which were side-by-side businesses on Hwy 3., under one roof. Dolejs sold the pub in January 2003, and moved the liquor store to County Road 42 and Crestone Avenue West in 2001. The store was sold in April 2008 to its current owner, Duluth Managements out of Maple Grove.