Top 100 Retailers

personal connection with the local community . They achieve this through not only excellent customer service , but also by getting involved .

Townwide legislation banning nips and mini-sized bottles was passed in the fall of 2023 , and Pioppi ’ s led the charge to fight the ban . “ The first thing we did was reach out to the town clerk and ask what we needed to do for a recall ,” says Balboni . “ The answer was to collect 5 % of the registered voter ’ s signatures who agree to our petition . If accomplished , this would trigger a special town election .” The catch ? They only had three months to get it all done . Balboni immediately got started and built an action committee , “ speaking at local precinct meetings and attending selectmen ’ s and other relevant meetings to advocate a reversal of the ban .”

“ We had a mailing campaign , yard signs , radio and online ads — you name it , we did it ,” he continues . “ We are very happy to say that with guidance from the Massachusetts Package Store Association , my past extensive community involvement and a great group of volunteers , the votes spoke and reversed the ban .”

LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE

Between being more active on social media and their website , expanding curbside pickup and delivery options , increasing the product selection of hemp-based beverages and encouraging the redevelopment of the plaza where the store is located , Balboni has hopes for Pioppi ’ s to exceed last year ’ s sales numbers .

“ We are aggressive with our pricing , our store always looks clean and organized and our staff is friendly . We also have the strongest marketing campaign in the area ,” he says .

Seeing Pioppi ’ s proven past success , they should be able to reach their sales goal .

The new Williquors store layout allows a comfortable atmosphere for customers to try new products and connect with employees .

Not only was Williquors named a Top 100 Retailer from 2019 to 2022 , and now

2024 , they were also voted Bismarck Mandan ’ s “ Best Liquor Store ” and " Best Wine Selection ” for nine years running .

Aside from consuming it , co-owner Brent Skjerseth didn ’ t know much about the beverage alcohol industry until he met up with three other guys who were building a liquor store . “ I joined them to help get the store up and running , and then two years later bought into it . So now , all four of us own it ,” he explains .

Their flagship store in Bismarck is 28,000 square feet of “ liquid happiness ,” as Skjerseth calls it . On top of having the largest selection of spirits in a three-state radius , this location also contains a 500−square-foot classroom for educational purposes , as well as two dedicated tasting bars for customers .

When the Sioux Falls location became available , the Williquors team knew they had to act on it . “ Our vision was always to move down the Midwest a bit , and when the location came up , we knew it would be perfect for us ,” says Skjerseth . “ There ’ s still some competition down there with grocery stores and gas stations , but they have such a limited selection , so we thought the larger store footprint could offer more . And it ’ s going really well down there .”

14 Beverage Dynamics • 2024 Top 100 Issue www . beveragedynamics . com