Customers at Midtown Liquor will find a new face behind the counter, and chances are, Donna Werner will be smiling.

Monday, April 30, 2001

Customers at Midtown Liquor will find a new face behind the counter, and chances are, Donna Werner will be smiling.

Werner took over the store at 101 S. Newton on April 1. She has made some changes to the layout and expanded the offerings, but she says longtime customers can still expect great service and convenience.

&uot;Pretty much, things will stay the same,&uot; she said. &uot;Lowell did a good job for so many years.&uot;

Werner and her husband Jack bought the store from longtime owner Lowell Klukow, and some customers were surprised by the sale, she said. But Werner has quickly made friends with longtime customers, and gotten to know their taste.

&uot;It’s fun,&uot; she said. &uot;I think it’s going to be great.&uot;

Both Werner and her husband have worked with bars and restaurants for a long time, and are excited to offer their expertise to their customers.

&uot;We know what the wines and liquors are like, and we’re really handy to help the customers out,&uot; she said.

Midtown sells liquor, wine, beer, tobacco, pop and mixers. They also sell root beer and beer kegs. It is a smaller store, but Werner says it is competitively priced, and the downtown location is convenient for their customers.

&uot;This establishment has been here for a long time,&uot; she said. &uot;Ever since alcohol came to town.&uot;

&uot;What we want to do is just make it accessible,&uot; she said. &uot;We just want to serve the people that are here.&uot;

Midtown liquor is located at 101 S. Newton Ave. in Albert Lea.