Innovation OF THE MONTH

The Stapleton Enterprise in Nebraska may be the country’s first newspaper/liquor store. According to the Omaha World-herald, the idea came from a town survey, where residents expressed the desire for an outlet to purchase wine and spirits. But when the local grocery store didn’t seize the idea to sell the packaged goods, Stapleton Enterprise editor Kendra Cutler, pitched it to newspaper owner Marcia Hora as an effort to keep residents from shopping in Stapleton.

The store is called Herbie’s Speakeasy because Hora “is a big fan of Herbie Husker (the current mascot at the University of Nebraskalincoln), and because you have to walk through the newspaper office and ask, ‘Where’s the liquor store?’ to get there,” the World-herald reported. The store is located in two backrooms that used to house printing presses and paper cutters, with rooms that were cleaned up and fitted with racks to hold bottles of wine. The walls also feature historic Stapleton photographs, as well as Husker memorabilia.

Hora told the World-herald that she has been “overwhelmed” by the response. In November, the store sold $2,200 of product during an open house and has steadily increased its inventory to keep up with demand. Herbie’s Speakeasy has even added wine tasting and catering services to their offerings.—em