New Cheers owner is no stranger to owning small business

Staff

Published Sunday, February 27, 2005

By Jennifer Rogers, Tribune staff writer

Albert Lea's Cheers Liquor has a new owner, and he is no stranger to owning a small business.

Owner Craig Stickfort of Albert Lea also owns the Indy Lube Oil Change Centers in Albert Lea and Austin and Bell Liquor in Austin.

"I decided to do business in both communities, because I think they are both good communities and there are good people in both," said Stickfort.

Stickfort became owner of Cheers Liquor, 1617 W. Main St., in November.

"I enjoy working for myself," said Stickfort. "I had an opportunity to get into the oil change business and I've enjoyed that and more recently I've had the opportunity to get into the liquor store business and I've enjoyed that as well."

Since becoming owner, Stickfort said he hasn't made many changes.

"No changes have been made; everything has pretty much stayed the same," he said. "We've kept the same employees as well, but we have added a few new ones."

Cheers Liquor sells all varieties of beer, wine and liquor, and Stickfort "just tries to sell everything as low as we possibly can."

Business has been good since Stickfort became owner.

"We are getting more and more customers, I think the people that know us are patronizing us," said Stickfort.

Cheers Liquor is located in the Skyline Mall annex, and Stickfort said that side of town is slowly, but surely growing.

"I feel that the community supports us, because we are locally owned," he said. "This is a retail business that the community wants, and I'm trying to provide a nice environment, a friendly face and everyday low prices."

Cheers Liquor is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.

(Contact Jennifer Rogers at jennifer.rogers@albertleatribune.com or 379-3439.)

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