THE VOICE OF MIDWEST INDEPENDENT RETAILERS // VOL. 29, NO. 12 // DECEMBER 2018

38th Annual High Five Turkey Drive pg4

n Healthy Food Seminar // PAGE 14 n Ric’s Food Center: Will Lightning Strike Twice? // PAGE 20 Increase your sales this holiday season by offering something extra to your customers. At Lipari Foods we offer exclusive brands as well as national brands to help make sure your holiday sales are merry and bright. New customers contact Joe Calo at [email protected] liparifoods.com columns

02 CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE An Honor Serving as your Chairman THE VOICE OF MIDWEST INDEPENDENT RETAILERS VOL. 29, NO. 12 // DECEMBER 2018 06 PETROLEUM NEWS & VIEWS Look to Expand Community Involvement

08 OHIO LOBBYIST REPORT Ohio Election Report features

09 LOBBYIST REPORT Michigan’s 2018 Election Recap HEALTHY FOOD SEMINAR Auday Arabo, Midwest Independent Retailers 10 GOVERNMENT RELATIONS REPORT 14 Association (MIRA) president and CEO, moderated a 2018 Michigan General Election Results panel discussion at the Healthy Food Seminar. Hosted by the Michigan Good Food Fund, the panel, called 12 MICHIGAN LOTTERY REPORT Insights from Grocers and Distributors, featured Matt Preliminary Results Show Record Jonna from Plum Market, Lee Michaels from Cherry 2018 Fiscal Year for Michigan Lottery; Capital Foods, Ken Bair from Bridge Street Market, Retailers Receive Record Commissions Don Symonds from Lipari Foods LLC., and Bobby Hesano from D&B Grocers Wholesale.

WILL LIGHTNING STRIKE TWICE? departments With no winner in sight, the Mega Millions jackpot 20 kept creeping up, eventually surpassing the billion- 16 FRESH IDEAS dollar mark. It was not until late October when the Branding your Business jackpot had reached a near historic $1.5 billion. While someone in South Carolina won the jackpot, a group 18 MICHIGAN GOOD FOOD FUND of nurses and doctors in the Mount Pleasant area were Funding Opportunities to Help also cashing in. You Invest in Your Business

20 RETAILER SPOTLIGHT Will Lightning Strike Twice?

22 SAFETY SENSE OHIO CareWorksComp Newsletter MICHIGAN APPROVES RECREATIONAL 24 MARIJUANA: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW 24 EXPRESS LINES Michigan has become the first state in the Midwest to Industry-Wide Items of Interest approve recreational use of marijuana, capping a years- long debate here over legalization. 34 SUPPLIER DIRECTORY Your Resource for Products and Services

36 MIRA CALENDAR Upcoming Industry Events chairman’s message BOARD OF DIRECTORS PHIL KASSA // MIRA CHAIRMAN Phil Kassa Chairman, Heartland Marketplace/ Saturn Food Center Rishi Makkar Vice Chair, Rishi International Al Chittaro Supplier Vice Chair, Faygo Beverages, Inc. Saad Abbo U.S. Ice Joe Abro Abro & Co. CPA, P.C. An Honor Serving as your Chairman Najib Atisha Indian Village Market Frank Ayar Walter’s Shopping Place Jerry Crete Ideal Party Stores Clifton Denha Secretary, Wine Palace Paul Elhindi Treasurer, Corner Market s my term comes to an end as Chairman of this great Tony Franchi Lipari Foods organization, I want to thank you for allowing me to serve Jacob Garmo Village Food Market/ Fresh Food Depot A you, our members. We have seen many changes in our Jim Garmo Kuzana Enterprises business, just in the last two years. We’ve seen a lot of Ken Hebert Great Lakes Coca-Cola consolidation, and we’ve seen a lot of organizations similar to ours, Bobby Hesano D&B Grocers Wholesale either merge with others or go out of business. At MIRA (formerly Eric Medwed Heaven Hill Brands Brad Miller SUPERVALU Midwest Region AFPD), we have done just the opposite. Because of the leadership of our Michael Mitchell Markham Oil President, Auday Arabo and his staff, our organization has remained on Dave Orlando Prairie Farms Dairy Co. top and has grown. With our Endorsed Programs, our legislative Tiffany Otis-Albert Blue Care Network influence and our training programs, we have been able to grow and Brian Pizzuti RNDC of Michigan remain first in class as trade organizations go. EMERITUS DIRECTOR Because things are changing so fast, MIRA, as an organization, John Denha 8 Mile Foodland/Huron Foods has made a major change beginning in 2019. We have eliminated the Executive Board of Directors and created a more active Board of STAFF & CONSULTANTS Directors who will meet more often. We will meet on a monthly basis Auday P. Arabo, Esq. President & CEO to react quicker to changes in the market place, and to react or direct Ed Weglarz Director, Petroleum Auday and his staff to legislative matters going on in our regions. This Jim Green Vice President, Program Development being all volunteer board, we are trying to get people who are willing Ken Schulte Director, Business Development & to give up some of their time for this organization. We know in today’s Vendor Liaison Ila Konja Bookkeeper/Office Manager/ environment, time is a precious commodity. Event Planner We understand not everyone has the time to volunteer, but we need Mary Ann Yono Business Development the support of all of members to get things accomplished. As I’ve Mahasen Salman Business Development Andrea Valente Illinois Business Development mentioned before, in order for us to be successful, we need to change Rita Denha Publication Sales/Business with the times, and invest in our organization. We all invest, or need to Development Raneen Samona Front Desk Administrator invest in our businesses to be successful, and this is no different. If we Mary Jaddou Event Assistant want certain legislative accomplishments, we need to invest in order to Terry Fleming Ohio Lobbyist, get things done. We will only be successful, if we step up to the plate like TC Fleming & Associates Capitol Strategies Group Michigan Lobbyist the bigger chain retailers do. They invest in legislative matters that will Capitol Advocacy Michigan Lobbyist help them. We need to speak up with our pocket books as they do, with Services Group, LLC Morrill & Fiedler, LLC Illinois Lobbyist one big voice, and together we can deliver one big check, individually we Tamar Lutz Graphic Designer, have no chance. Tamar Designs, LLC Vanessa Denha Magazine Writer, In closing, I want to reiterate that it was an honor serving you at this Denha Media Group great organization and I want to thank the Board and the Executive UHY-MI Certified Public Accountant Karla Atchoo Accounting Consultant, Board for electing me two years ago to this position. We all need to Karla Atchoo & Associates, Inc. recognize all the tireless work that our President and his staff do on a daily basis to keep this organization successful. I plan to continue to serve this great organization, but my term as your Chairman is over. God bless! n

2 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 mira corner

EVENT RECAP // Annual High Five Turkey Drive

The Midwest Independent Retailer’s Association (MIRA) hosted their Annual High Five Turkey Drive on November 16. Hosted at Motown Snacks in again this year, MIRA was able to donate more than 5,000 turkeys to families and organizations throughout Detroit. Over 100 groups were serviced this year. MIRA was fortunate enough to have a large group of volunteers this year helping to hand out turkeys. The volunteer force was made up of MIRA’s staff and individuals from a number of organizations. Among the volunteers were Faygo Beverages Inc., DTE Energy, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Motown Snack Foods Inc, Altria Group and Prairie Farms Dairy employees. n

SPONSORS

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e 1 9 9 1 ” S i n c o u g Y r v i n “ S e

DONORS

7 Mile Express Blue Diamond Market Claudia Papanikolas Doris Foley Greenfield Super Market Alan Chittaro Boku Hendrickson Cloverleaf Sunoco Dynasty Liquor Harbor Springs IGA Alice Adado Brenda Monroe Commerce Convenience East 55th Street Shell Hartland Mobil Alison H. Hazzard Bridge Lake Market Corner Market Edith Aspin Heartland Marketplace - Alpine Marketplace Broken Shed Distilleries Corner Shop Mobil Elaine Raines Farmington Hills Amcan Truck Plaza Bruce Britten Craig Coolidge Entemann's Bakery Heartland Marketplace - Andrea Zajac Busatti's Liquor Store D.A.B.O. Eric Eby Westland Anita Betts Business Machines Company Dan Sullivan EZ Run Heather's Liquor Land Anne Aseltine (BMC) Debie Lecato Family Foods Market Highland BP Arab American / Chaldean CALC / UCFS Deborah Pavlak Firestone Mini Mart Hills Fine Wine & Spirits Council Carla Luberto Dennis Whiteherse Fisher Printing Hometown Market IAK Petroleum Audrey Putman Celia Van De Moortel Diageo Food Max Supermarket Imperial Fresh Market Baxters Little Grocery Charles Whitcomb Diamond Market Fred Barton In N Out Benito's Five Star Market Charlotte Lennartz Dirk Young Fresh Choice Marketplace J & S Liquor Beverage 1 Christine Cobb Dixmoor Market Gary Whelan James E. Wadsworth Jr. Beverly Stevenson Cindy MacKenzie Dobry's George Enterprises, LLC Community Center

4 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 mira corner

DONORS WHY DO YOU PARTICIPATE IN MIRA’S ANNUAL HIGH FIVE TURKEY DRIVE? James Stewart Philip Meyer James Yanna Pinewood Party Store Jan Cool Playmakers Fitness Foundation “It’s important because there are so many people in Detroit and Jane & Dean Carey Prestige Tech Center we’re blessed because we have to give and giving up your time is the Janis Britten Professional Medical best thing you could ever do. I love it because people are going to Jean-Marie Heins R.E. James have a wonderful Thanksgiving and that’s really what Thanksgiving is Jeffrey Flynn Rae Ramsdell Joan Ehlert-McBride Randall Denha about.” – LOIS DENT // BCBSM Joan Mayes Rebecca Steininger JoAnne Christenson Richard Bartig Joanne Emrick Richard Masters John & Alicia Armstrong Richard Monti “I enjoy this; it’s an event I look forward to each and every year. John Taylor Rich's Mini Mart I’m so blessed and this is an opportunity to serve others in the Joyce Gooder Ric's Food Center - Ithaca community.” – PAT SLACK // BCBSM Judith Brown Ric's Food Center - Mt. Pleasant Judith Cordes Ric's Food Center - Rockford Judith VanPeenen Robert Bauer Julie Demaree Robert Flickinger “We’ve been participating for the last five years and it’s a great cause Karen Cohn Robert Hanna Karen Kogut Roberta Hammel and we are happy to be here. We are finally able to participate by Karen McCumber Robert-Dee Norton handing out turkeys to people who need them.” Kelly's Party Store Ronald Lewis – LINDA LAURIANTI // ALTRIA GROUP Kimberly Giordano Sabrina A. Tangalos Kimberly Miller Sandi Nelson Lake Lansing Road Mobil Service Sanvi Oil, LLC Lanette Every Saturn Marketplace “Prairie Farms believes in giving back to the community and that’s Latifa Denha Savon Foods Super Market what we’re built on. We’re a co-op farm run by family. We believe in Linda Frederick Sawdust Corners Marathon giving back to the community. This is the number one event we like to Linda Lyons Seaway Market Place participate in.” – DAVE ORLANDO // PRAIRIE FARMS Lynn Demaree Sheila Balliet-Miles Lynne Decator Sherri Hawkins M&M Marathon Spot Gas Stop LLC Maple Gas, Inc. Springwell Liquor “We always give back to the community in any way we can. We just Marathon of Walled Lake Steve Truman Marianne Clone Sunshine Market want to help and we have been part of history of AFPD (MIRA); they Marjorie Wilder Susan Engels know what they’re doing.” – AL CHITTARO // FAYGO Mark Belcher Susan Joostberns Mark Premer Teresa Thornburg Markham Enterprises Thaddeus Vance Marsha Keenoy Theda Dyer “It’s important that we take time out to give back to the community. I Mary Ann Wehr Thomas and Cathy Norton think that the AFPD (MIRA) has been doing this for a lot of years and I Mary Richmond Thomas Newell Mercantile Bank of Michigan Thomas Parker think it’s important they give back to the community and we’re happy Mercedes-Benz of St. Clair Shores Time Benner to be a part of it.” – ORLANDO WOODS // FAYGO Metro Food Center U.S. Quality Food Center Michael Crabb UHY Advisors Mike's Fresh Market University Foods “Our company, DTE Energy, does a big volunteer program called Care Core Mocha Gas, Inc. Virginia Martin and we want to be able to support the communities in which we serve. Molly Turner Vreeland Market I think this is one of the best events we have where we actually provide My Town Mobil Wallace Fry food to distributors within churches and food pantries and help those Nadine Risner Walters Shopping Place less fortunate. I think it’s a great thing. I think I have been doing this for Nancy Eaves Wayne County Executive Outreach New Greater Baptist Church Wayne Elementary five or six years and continue to do so.” – KEVIN PFAU // DTE Orange Products LLC Whitehall Custom Car Wash Palace Supermarket Whitehall Shell Park Lane Cork & Bottle Williams Lake Market “We try to give back to the less fortunate. The self-satisfaction of Park Place Liquor Wine Depot Party Shop giving back. To participate in giving back and do something important Parkway Foods Wine Palace, Inc. during the holiday season.” – JIM O’SHEA // MOTOWN SNACKS PA's Sure Stop Wonderful Giving Patrice DeVinney Wyoming & Six Food Market Paula Mckay Wyoming Mini Mart Pearl & Denison Shell Zachary Dyme

DECEMBER 2018 // www.MIRAmw.org // 5 petroleum news & views

EDWARD WEGLARZ // MIRA DIRECTOR, PETROLEUM

known on a different level than any of the run-of-the- Look to Expand Community mill competition in your area. If you join specifically to obtain business, you will probably fail. But if you Involvement join to help promote the charitable efforts of service organization you will, by default, gain business from members of the club. People like to do business with people they know. You will also have the opportunity to participate in public service projects conducted by the n order to survive in today’s marketplace club gaining even more exposure to potential customers you need to differentiate your business who will recognize your contribution to the community I from the competition. Distinguishing and will tend do business with you. your products and services will gain you Most of the local service organizations are share of market. But there is another way to gain comprised of influential people in the neighborhood, customers that the competition is probably not and those relationships can become very beneficial exploiting: Community Involvement! to you as you work with these folks on community Many customers think “gas is gas” and C-Stores service projects. They get to know and respect you are C-Stores, but there is one way you can “lock-in” on a different level when work together away from some customers who will be loyal to you because you your professional vocations. You’d be surprised how are “one of them”. That approach is “community people from varying careers get to appreciate each involvement”. other’s business challenges, when they participate in No matter where you are located, nor what an opportunity to work together away from their usual services and products you market, the opportunities to place of business. participate are plentiful. New members are usually encouraged to give a presentation to the group outlining their business, “Most of the local service organizations career, hobbies, and family interests, which provides another opportunity to promote your business. are comprised of influential people in the Always acquainting with people who are the same neighborhood, and those relationships can business or same profession as yours tends to limit your become very beneficial to you as you work with opportunities. You can learn what your competition is doing and even gain knowledge of some “short-cuts” these folks on community service projects. you can implement to save money on some expenses. They get to know and respect you on a different But by associating with people from various walks of life you will gain better insight into the wants and needs level when work together away from your of your potential customers. professional vocations.” And, finally, by joining one of these organizations you can contribute your talent to make things better Service clubs in the area of your store are always for those less fortunate than you. You’ll feel a sense of seeking membership involvement. And you are accomplishment that can only be achieved by giving usually welcomed to attend a meeting or two to time and talent of yourself. You’ll feel good. Just get acquainted with the members and analyze their a couple weeks ago the AFPD/MIRA turkey drive mission statement and objectives. Joining one of these provided an opportunity for staff and members to help service organizations exposes another dimension of distribute turkeys and the “fixins” to folks less fortunate your business to influential people in the area. This than us; and we all walked away feeling good about approach beats traditional advertising strategies in what we had done that day. Try it. results. You and your business get exposure and you get Happy Holidays and enjoy the season. n

6 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 MIRA’s Business Insurance Partner.

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Conifer_AFPD_BottomLineOCT2018.indd TL 12/22/15 11:56 AM ohio lobbyist report

TERRY FLEMING // TC FLEMING & ASSOCIATES

once again will have a battle to determine who will be Ohio Election Report the Speaker of the House for next two years, beginning in January of next year. The battle is between current Speaker Ryan Smith and former Speaker Larry Householder. The Senate easily elected current President Larry Obhoff to serve another term. The legislature is trying to wrap up all business in next three to four weeks. With a Republican Governor he Ohio General Assembly finally being sworn in next January, there’s no need to address returned after a five-month absence due a lot of bills. Had Democrat Richard Cordray won, T to statewide elections. Except for they would have died. The House wasted no time Franklin County (Columbus) it was a in passing two very controversial bills, HB 228, the very good year for Republicans as they swept the five so called “stand your ground” bill that says if you’re statewide offices: Governor/Lt. Governor Mike defending yourself and shoot someone it’s not a crime. DeWine and Jon Husted, Attorney General David Also passed was HB 258 that would ban abortions if Yost, Auditor of State Keith Faber, Secretary of State there is a heartbeat. Neither bill is expected to pass Frank LaRose and State Treasurer Robert Sprague, the Senate and even if they did Governor Kasich all Republicans. Ohio’s Congressional Delegation did would veto both and they don’t have adequate votes not change as all incumbents won. It remains 12 to override. Speaking of Governor Kasich, he vetoed Republicans and 4 Democrats. Democrat Sherrod SB 221, which would prohibit State Agencies from Brown, as expected, won reelection to the U.S. Senate adopting informal policy making without going from Ohio and two Democrats won Ohio Supreme through the Joint Committee on Agency Rule Review Court Races, which are non-partisan, without party (JCARR) and the Common-Sense Initiative (CSI). The affiliation listed on the ballot, so it becomes a name General Assembly this week over-rode the Governor’s game. Republicans still control the Court 5-2. In Ohio veto which is a big win for business. Both Houses State Senate races Republicans picked up two seats passed SB 223 which would make selling bad used which makes it 28-5 Republican, but one seat is in tires a minor misdemeanor and a $1000.00 dollar fine. danger of being lost in Franklin County when They did delay the implementation of this law until all provisional ballots and absentee ballots are counted. tire sellers are notified of the new program. Another Sadly, its long time MIRA supporter Representative bill, HB 307, sponsored by MIRA, which would make Anne Gonzales who’s in danger of losing the Senate September “We Card” Month is expected to pass race; however, even if she lost it would still be 27-6 prior to end of year adjournment. The bill had been Republican and that’s an embarrassment to included in another bill that would rename Columbus Democratic party. In the Ohio House, Republicans Airport “John Glenn International” along with other lost 4 seats going from 66-33 to 62-37, but like the highway and building names but it also included bills Senate there is one race in Cincinnati that may be lost already passed so the Senate sent the bill back to the after provisional and absentee ballots are cast. Of the House to remove those bills and then both Houses four seats lost three were in Franklin County, only would concur, it was a long convoluted process but it two Republicans won in all the races in Franklin County and one, Anne Gonzales, is in danger of losing after all votes are counted. The next big battle will come in the next three weeks as the Ohio House OHIO LOBBYIST continued on next page.

8 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 michigan lobbyist report

MATT MINER // CAPITOL STRATEGIES GROUP

with Democrats taking 52. This is down from the 64-46 Michigan’s 2018 currently. Representative Lee Chatfield was nominated Election Recap by the Republicans to serve as the next Speaker of the House and Representative Christine Greig was nominated by the Democrats to serve as the House Minority Leader. The Senate saw similar changes “Blue Wave” surged through Michigan in party makeup of the chamber with Republicans on Election Day bringing with it holding 22 seats and Democrats taking 16 seats. This A sweeping changes to all the statewide is down from the 27-11 spread in the current legislature, elected offices and carrying with it nearly making things much tighter in the upper chamber. The all non-partisan races and several ballot initiatives. Republicans nominated Senator to be the Democrat Gretchen Whitmer soundly defeated Senate Majority Leader and the Democrats retained Republican Bill Schuette in the Governor’s race Senator as the Senate Minority Leader. 53%-44%. Democrat Dana Nessel defeated Michigan also widely approved three ballot Republican Tom Leonard in a closer race for the initiatives to amend our state constitution. Here’s a Attorney General’s office 49%-46%, while Democrat brief description of each: Jocelyn Benson defeated Republican Mary Treder ■■ Proposal 1 – An initiative to legalize the Lang 53%-44% in the contest for Secretary of State. recreational use of marijuana passed 55%-45%. Democrats also swept all of the university boards and ■■ Proposal 2 – An initiative to change the way state Board of Education seats. On the state legislative districts are drawn passed 61%-39%. legislative races, it was a somewhat different story. ■■ Proposal 3 – An initiative to allow for no Spared in the wake of the storm was control of the reason absentee voting, same day registration Michigan House and Senate for Republicans. The for voting and automatic voter registration House Republicans held 58 seats when the dust settled, passed 67%-33%. n

OHIO LOBBYIST participate in the program, but if it’s successful then all continued from previous page. lottery agencies could participate. You can contact Ed Weglarz, Director, Petroleum at MIRA 800-666-6233, appears as if it will finally become law. MIRA was the for more details. The Ohio Health Department has only retail association to testify and was responsible for begun a new training program for all food managers, bill introduction. There were two significant regulatory including convenience stores. Some of you may have decisions made in the past several months that were already had health inspectors at your locations, again done informally by the State Lottery Commission Ed Weglarz is handling this for MIRA and can provide and Ohio Department of Health, once Senate Bill details. 221 becomes effective these practices will cease. The Lastly as we enter the Holiday Season MIRA wishes Lottery Commission started a pilot project that would all its Ohio members a very Happy Thanksgiving and allow purchase and payment via internet of lottery a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Profitable tickets to help with long lines for mega drawings. Only New Year. Thank you for your continuous support of a few lottery agencies (i.e. Kroger and others) would MIRA and we look forward to a great 2019. n

DECEMBER 2018 // www.MIRAmw.org // 9 government relations report

2018 Michigan General Election Results

MICHIGAN U.S. SENATE District 9: (D) District 13: (D) Debbie Stabenow (D) District 10: Michael MacDonald (R) District 14: (D) District 11: (D) District 15: (D) District 12: VACANT District 16: Kevin Coleman (D) MICHIGAN U.S. HOUSE OF District 13: Mallory McMorrow (D) District 17: Joseph Bellino (R) REPRESENTATIVES District 14: (R) District 18: (D) District 1: Jack Bergman (R) District 15: (R) District 19: VACANT District 2: Bill Huizenga (R) District 16: Mike Shirkey (R) District 20: (D) District 3: Justin Amash (R) District 21: Kristy Pagan (D) District 17: (R) District 4: John Moolenaar (R) District 22: (D) District 18: (D) District 5: Dan Kildee (D) District 23: (D) District 19: (R) District 6: Fred Upton (R) District 2:4 Steve Marino (R) District 20: Sean McCann (D) District 7: Tim Walberg (R) District 25: (D) District 21: Kim LaSata (R) District 8: Elissa Slotkin (D) District 26: Jim Ellison (D) District 22: (R) District 9: Andy Levin (D) District 27: Robert Wittenberg (D) District 23: Curtis Hertel (D) District 10: Paul Mitchell (R) District 28: (D) District 24: Tom Barrett (R) District 11: Haley Stevens (D) District 29: (D) District 25: (R) District 12: Debbie Dingell (D) District 30: (R) District 26: (R) District 13: (D) District 31: William Sowerby (D) District 27: Jim Ananich (D) District 32: (R) District 14: Brenda Lawrence (D) District 28: Peter MacGregor (R) District 33: Jeff Yaroch (R) District 29: (D) District 34: Sheldon Neeley (D) MICHIGAN GUBERNATORIAL District 30: (R) District 35: (D) Gretchen Whitmer (D) District 31: (R) District 36: Douglas Wozniak (R) Lt. Gov: II (D) District 32: Ken Horn (R) District 37: Christine Greig (D) District 33: (R) District 38: (R) MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL District 34: (R) District 39: (R) Dana Nessel (D) District 35: Curt VanderWall (R) District 40: (D) District 36: (R) District 41: (D) District 37: (R) District 42: (R) MICHIGAN SECRETARY OF STATE District 43: (R) District 38: Ed McBroom (R) Jocelyn Benson (D) District 44: (R) District 45: Michael Webber (R) MICHIGAN HOUSE OF District 46: John Reilly (R) MICHIGAN SUPREME COURT REPRESENTATIVES District 47: (R) Megan Cavanagh (D) District 1: (D) District 48: Sheryl Kennedy (D) Elizabeth Clement (R) (Incumbent) District 2: Joseph Tate (D) District 49: John Cherry (D) District 3: (D) District 50: (D) MICHIGAN STATE SENATE District 4: Isaac Robinson (D) District 51: (R) District 1: (D) District 5: Cynthia A. Johnson (D) District 52: (D) District 2: (D) District 6: Tyrone Carter (D) District 53: (D) District 3: (D) District 7: LaTanya Garrett (D) District 54: Ronnie Peterson (D) District 4: (D) District 8: Sherry Gay-Dagnogo (D) District 55: Rebekah Warren (D) District 5: (D) District 9: (D) District 56: (R) District 10: Leslie Love (D) District 6: (D) District 57: (R) District 11: (D) District 7: (D) District 58: (R) District 12: (D) District 8: (R) District 59: Aaron Miller (R)

10 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 District 60: (D) MICHIGAN PROPOSAL 1 District 61: (R) The Marijuana Legalization Initiative, was on the ballot in Michigan as an indirect District 62: (D) initiated state statute on November 6, 2018. The measure was approved. District 63: (R) District 64: Julie Alexander (R) RESULT VOTES PERCENTAGE District 65: (R) District 66: (R) YES District 67: Leon Clark (D) A “yes” vote supported legalizing the recreational use 2,346,713 55.90% and possession of marijuana for persons 21 years of age District 68: (D) or older and enacting a tax on marijuana sales. District 69: (D) District 70: James Lower (R) District 71: (D) NO District 72: Steven Johnson (R) A “no” vote opposed legalizing the recreational use and 1,851,679 44.10% District 73: (R) possession of marijuana for persons 21 years of age or District 74: (R) older and enacting a tax on marijuana sales. District 75: David LaGrand (D) District 76: (D) District 77: (R) MICHIGAN PROPOSAL 2 District 78: (R) The Independent Redistricting Commission Initiative, was on the ballot in Michigan as an District 79: (R) initiated constitutional amendment on November 6, 2018. The measure was approved. District 80: (R) District 81: (R) RESULT VOTES PERCENTAGE District 82: Gary Howell (R) District 83: (R) YES District 84: (R) A “yes” vote supported transferring the power to draw the state’s congressional and legislative districts from 2,511,648 61.27% District 85: (R) the state legislature to an independent redistricting District 86: Thomas Albert (R) commission. District 87: (R) District 88: (R) NO District 89: (R) A “no” vote opposed transferring the power to draw District 90: (R) the state’s congressional and legislative districts from 1,587,439 38.73% District 91: Greg VanWoerkom (R) the state legislature to an independent redistricting commission. District 92: (D) District 93: (R) District 94: (R) District 95: (D) MICHIGAN PROPOSAL 3 District 96: (D) The Voting Policies in State Constitution Initiative, was on the ballot in Michigan as an District 97: (R) initiated constitutional amendment on November 6, 2018. The measure was approved. District 98: (R) RESULT VOTES PERCENTAGE District 99: (R) District 100: Scott VanSingel (R) YES District 101: Jack O'Malley (R) A “yes” vote supported adding eight voting policies District 102: (R) to the Michigan Constitution, including straight-ticket 2,766,489 66.91% District 103: (R) voting, automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, and no-excuse absentee voting. District 104: VACANT District 105: (R) District 106: (R) NO District 107: Lee Chatfield (R) A “no” vote opposed adding eight voting policies to the state constitution, maintaining that straight-ticket voting, 1,368,032 33.09% District 108: Beau LaFave (R) automatic voter registration, same-day voter registration, District 109: (D) and no-excuse absentee voting are not used in Michigan. District 110: (R)

DECEMBER 2018 // www.MIRAmw.org // 11 michigan lottery report

BRIAN O. NEILL // MICHIGAN LOTTERY COMMISSIONER

The Lottery’s instant game portfolio once again Preliminary Results Show was a major part of this success. Instant games remain a favorite for the most loyal Lottery players, Record 2018 Fiscal Year as well as casual players, and make up nearly 42% of overall sales. The Lottery’s team puts a great for Michigan Lottery; deal of focus and effort into developing instant Retailers Receive Record games that will attract players to retailers and boost sales. The Lottery’s marketing team developed a Commissions number of advertising campaigns to support new instant games, helping to raise awareness of our games and boost sales for retailers. That work paid he preliminary results for the Lottery’s 2018 off in a big way in 2018, with total sales of instant fiscal year bring very good news for games surpassing $1 billion for the fourth straight T retailers, the Lottery, and most importantly, year. Instant game sales increased an impressive public education in Michigan. 15% from 2017 to $1.5 billion. The hard work of retailers and the Lottery also Preliminary numbers show that Lottery sales broke the $3 billion mark for the third straight year. led to a record contribution to the state’s School This impressive record is the result of teamwork Aid Fund. Preliminary figures indicate the Lottery’s between the Lottery and its 11,000 retailers across the contribution to the School Aid Fund will total about state. The 2018 figures show a record $3.6 billion in $938 million, the fourth consecutive record annual Lottery sales, topping the previous record set in 2017 contribution. Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has by about $300 million. Retailers also enjoyed a record provided more than $22 billion to support public year in 2018, with commissions hitting a record education in our state. $264.9 million, up about 7% from the previous record The record results in 2018 wouldn’t have happened of $248.4 million set last year. without each retailer’s hard work and commitment to serving customers and the Lottery’s mission. We’re excited about the opportunities that 2019 presents INSTANT TICKETS // PULL TAB TICKETS and look forward to working with retailers to break even more records! n NEW PULL TAB TICKETS: NEW INSTANT TICKETS: On sale December 4th: On sale December 4th: ■■ MI 540 – Blazin’ Bucks – 50¢ ■■ IG 283 – Cash Flurries – $5 ■■ MI 528 – Cash Plow – $1 ■■ IG 284 – Triple Bonus Cashword – $10 ■■ MI 530 – Sin City Slots – $2 ■■ IG 285 – 100X The Cash – $20

Michigan Lottery (vertical) CMYK - 4 Color process PULL TABS SET TO EXPIRE: INSTANT GAMES SET TO EXPIRE: Expiring December 11th: Expiring December 3rd: Michigan Lottery (vertical) About 97 cents of every dollar spentCMYK - 4 Color process on Lottery tickets is ■■ MI 589 – Catch Cash – 50¢ ■■ IG 744 – Superstar Cash – $10 returned to the state in the form of contributions to the ■■ MI 591 – Lucky 7’s – $1 ■■ IG 780 – Tetris – $2 state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions Expiring January 8, 2019: to vendors and retailers. In the 2017 fiscal year, the TICKET ACTIVATION: Retailers are Lottery’s contribution to Michigan’s public schools was a ■■ MI 592 – Wild Time Doubler – $1 reminded to activate all game Michigan Lottery (vertical) record $924.1 million. Since it began in 1972, the Lottery CMYK - 4 Color process ■■ MI 593 – Hit $50 – 50¢ tickets before putting them on sale has contributed more than $21 billion to support public to ensure winning tickets may be education in Michigan. For additional information, follow redeemed by players. the Michigan Lottery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and online at www.michiganlottery.com..

12 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 THIS GIFT OF FUN GIVES TO EVERYONE

Fun to give and great to get, it’s easy to see why customers make Michigan Lottery holiday instants their go-to gift. Everyone likes the chance to win up to $500,000, with more than $62.3 million in total cash prizes.

There’s plenty for you, too, with more than $6.4 million in retailer commissions. So, stock up on the holiday gift that offers big winnings, big sales and is everyone’s go-to: holiday instant tickets.

Overall odds of winning Festive $50’s: 1 in 4.60. Overall odds of winning Holiday Lucky Times 12: 1 in 4.41. Overall odds of winning Peppermint Payout: 1 in 3.80. Overall odds of winning Holiday Dazzle: 1 in 3.67. Knowing your limits is always the best bet. Call the Michigan Problem Gambling Helpline for confidential help at 1-800-270-7117.

MLO4697M19_2018HolidayInstants_TradeAd_8.625x11.125_10-12-18.indd 1 10/15/18 3:08 PM special feature Healthy Food Seminar

Industry leaders provide valuable insight and advice

n BY ASHOURINA SLEWO // DENHA MEDIA GROUP

uday Arabo, Midwest Independent Retailers Association (MIRA) president A and CEO, moderated a panel discussion at the Healthy Food Seminar. Hosted by the Michigan Good Food Fund, the panel, called Insights from Grocers and Distributors, featured Matt Jonna from Plum Market, Lee Michaels from Cherry Capital Foods, Ken Bair from Bridge Street Market, Don Symonds from Lipari Foods LLC., and Bobby Hesano from D&B Grocers Wholesale. According to the website, the Michigan Good Food Fund is a “$30 million public-private partnership loan fund that provides financing to good food enterprises working to increase access to affordable, healthy food in low-income and underserved communities in Michigan.” See page 20 for more details. Fifty-two entrepreneurs representing 38 healthy food businesses from around the state of Michigan attended the Healthy Food Seminar. According to the Michigan Good Food Fund’s website, these entrepreneurs gathered to “hear from industry experts on topics ranging from branding, supply chain, getting products in stores, scaling a business with financing and more.” Arabo started off by talking about the industry as a whole, stating that there has never been a more exciting Retailers, Jonna said, must showcase their products time to be a part of the grocery industry. “Some seismic and provide information beyond the labels. “Demo is things have happened in the industry the last three years,” key when it’s a new item,” he said. “My best advice to he said. “Part of that is with everybody actually here in a new supplier or new product producer is to walk into this room because for the first time ever, social media that meeting with a whole demo strategy.” and consumers are really driving the markets.” Agreeing with Jonna, Bair as a retailer is always Asking Jonna, Arabo wanted to know what products looking for unique products. “In our store, we’re really he looks for when somebody approaches him. “We’re going after a value play with a very local presence.” always looking for new items; it’s really critical in our Following the discussion of the importance of demos, business to be ahead of the curve,” he explained. “We Arabo asked the panel what of the biggest “no, no’s” generally give everyone a shot and what I always say someone presenting to a buyer could do. and what I’ve trained our buyers and directors to say “Telling us they won’t do demos,” said Jonna is a big is, ‘what’s your demo plan?’” “no, no.” Demos are an opportunity to showcase one’s

14 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 product. To forego this opportunity hurts the presenter, “…there’s a certain margin range we have. They can making the buyer less likely to purchase the product. range as low as 10 percent and they can go as high as Turning to the wholesalers on the panel, Arabo asked 20 to 30 percent…” how retailers can get in front of them or get them to Agreeing with Hesano, Symonds touched on the consider a product. importance of remaining competitive. “If you work “It’s really about packaging in the retail sector for on tight margins and in high volume, you got to have us,” explained Michaels. “If it tastes great and has clean a little more margin items,” he explained. “There are a ingredients, but it doesn’t present well, it’s not going to lot of items we break cases on now that you don’t have work. Number one for us is packaging.” to buy a dozen if you’re a small store. You can buy six Coming to the topic of natural and organic food and there’s charges for all those types of things.” n products, Jonna suggested that the best path is that of natural products. He stated that while a product does not have to be one hundred percent organic, it should at least be natural to appease current customer wants and desires. “Also, I think nowadays if I was creating a food product, I would not even think about not having clean ingredients. I mean, I don’t have to be organic, but you need to be natural,” Jonna explained. “It’s a pretty important thing for products to be natural nowadays.” Turning to the topic of margins, terms and insurance, Hesano first stressed the importance of being insured, something everyone on the panel could agree with. “As far as the margins are concerned, it depends on the brand, it depends on the category for us,” he explained.

DECEMBER 2018 // www.MIRAmw.org // 15 fresh ideas

Branding your Business

marketing and Innovative Senior Wright is now working with Executive with comprehensive Benchmark, MIRA’s for Profit experience in global Consumer company, as she markets her own Packaged Goods. company Cask & Kettle Irish “What is your brand story?” Coffee and Spiked Dry Cider are asked Wright at the Seminar to the first-to-market, complete, well- the audience of grocers and food crafted hot cocktails for home companies as she took people brewing systems (i.e. Keurig, etc.). through a worksheet. “What It is designed to simply pop one motivated you to start this business? of the single serve cups into your You will get that question from brewing system and a smooth, investors, agencies and consumers. aromatic hot complete cocktail is It is a great starting place to write ready in seconds. your brand story.” Also speaking on branding at She also suggested that the seminar was Nailah Ellis- business owners create a board of Brown, founder of Ellis Infinity images that defines their brand. LLC, maker of Ellis Island Tea. She suggested creating a vision She is among the growing group The creation of a strong brand is board that helps owners see who of Entrepreneurs in Detroit, a critical to the success of any new they want to be and what they 30-year-old born, raised and business launch or expansion. want your brand to be. It’s a great educated in the Motor City. That was a message from the starting point. “Your story needs Her business was inspired Healthy Food Business Seminar to inspire others,” she explained. by a family business recipe for hosted by Michigan Good Food “You are articulating your Jamaican Sweet Tea that has been Fund at the end of October. business idea. You are validating passed down from her migrant Your brand reveals the heart your business idea.” great-grandfather who came to of the company and helps ‘set You need to understand your America through Ellis Island and the table’ for the relationship target. Who is that person? Is it was a master chef for Marcus you want to have with your the person who buys or consume consumers and customers. your product? Your target is the Garvey’s Black Start Line. Ellis- Strong brand positioning consumer. There are executives Brown began her business selling creates company value, provides who mistake this target. They bottles of tea from a cooler in the competitive insulation and drives focus on the shopper instead of the trunk of her car back in 2008. By messaging across all points consumers. “There are two totally 2014, she had opened her first of communication including different strategies,” said Wright. beverage production and co- packaging and digital platforms. “Stay focused on the consumer.” packaging facility in Detroit and As a brand management leader She used the Dove product numerous commercial accounts. with a proven track record of as an example of targeting the Today, Ellis Island Tea is sold creating and launching new consumer as she showed images of around the country in more than brands, driving innovation and the marketing materials used by the 1,500 stores and at niche markets developing business-building company. “You need to know the and online. programs, Lucinda Wright guides visual images used to reach your She talked about making people through the essential tools target audience,” she said. “You mistakes along the way and how needed to create an effective have to know how you are different. changing the label catapulted brand – the Brand Brief. How are you differentiating her company and branded her Lucinda Wright is a yourself from others?” product. n

16 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 10%SAVINGS

When your business is more energy efficient, it’s also more profitable—and DTE Energy wants to help make that happen. Take John Logiudice, owner of Florentine Pizzeria, for example. DTE worked with him to make some small changes that led to big savings. Simply installing a programmable thermostat, sink aerators, LED lights and a pre- rinse spray valve in the kitchen saved John around 10% a month on his energy bill.

If you’d like to manage energy use to save money at your business, visit dteenergy.com/savenow.

Approval Files: DTE/Approval Documents/Print > 2017-05-16-DTE0665-EEBiz-8.625x11.125-R0.pdf Creative Files: DTE0665-Misc. Creative Projects/AFPD - EE Business/R0 > 2017-05-16-DTE0665-EEBiz-8.625x11.125-R0.indd Bleed - 0.125 | Page 1 of 1 | Rev0 | 2017-05-16 REVISIONS DUE TO AGENCY 2017-05-16 DT ____ CR ____ TR ____ PR ____ AE ____ michigan good food fund

Funding Opportunities to Help You Invest in Your Business

Market, a multi-site family-owned “Michigan Good Food Fund provided grocery store in Grand Rapids, $6 million in financing as part of an Michigan. “These stores are anchors $8 million New Markets Tax Credit of healthy food access in their transaction to bring this project to communities,” said Donnell. “They life,” said Donnell. “Now open, the are not only increasing healthy food grocery store brought more than 60 access, they are also creating jobs and jobs to the community.” supporting Michigan farmers.” Diamond Place also benefited from Founded by Ken and Gina Courts in Michigan Good Food Fund financing. 2010, Ken’s two stores feature high- “We invested in the Diamond Place quality food at low prices. Each store It’s not news to the food retailer that multi-use development project in features 3,500 square feet of fresh the market is competitive. Consumers Grand Rapids, because it was bringing fruits and vegetables. This includes have more choices and experts are a new grocery store to the community,” a variety of Michigan grown produce encouraging grocery retail outlets to said Donnell. and other products sourced from area invest in their stores, in order to stay The $42 million Diamond Place project farmers, processors, and distributors, relevant and competitive. in Grand Rapids, brought together furthering the store’s positive economic Michigan Good Food Fund supports development across the state. Each more than 100 units of affordable grocery retail projects that are store also tailors its offerings to meet housing plus 22,000 square feet expanding fresh food offerings in low- the cultural tastes of its customers. of retail space plus by a community income and underserved communities. The Michigan Good Food Fund provided grocery store. Located in a USDA Groceries can include: single or multi- a $445,000 loan in 2017 to improve designated food desert, this project site grocery stores, cooperative grocers, operational efficiencies. In addition to increased healthy food access for corner stores and mobile markets. financing, the fund also provided one- area residents, who also experience Whether you are considering on-one business assistance pre- and high poverty rates. Michigan Good renovations to modernize your store, post-financing to support corporate Food Fund provided a $3,645,600 an expansion of your fresh food restructuring and grocery operations. loan in 2017 to support this project. department, POS system upgrades, “Ken and I are so excited about our Other project funding partners include or need capital for inventory or staff alliance with the Michigan Good Food JPMorgan Chase Bank, Cinnaire, expansion, the Michigan Good Food Fund. We can’t thank them enough for Mercantile Bank, Michigan Economic Fund provides financing to support helping us become more financially Development Corp., Michigan State your store. strong. This partnership makes our Housing Development Authority, Financing through the fund is flexible commitment to providing healthy food Opportunity Resource Fund, and the and vast ranging from $2,500 to $6 at a low cost to everyone better than City of Grand Rapids. Diamond Place million. Loan rates start as low as ever,” said Gina Courts, co-owner of created both construction jobs and 5% and New Markets Tax Credit are Ken’s Fruit Market. more than 100 permanent positions available for qualified projects. Midtown Fresh in Kalamazoo is another from the various retail tenants. The Michigan Good Food Fund bolsters family-owned grocery business which Grocers interested in financing can lending with business assistance received financing. go to www.migoodfund.org/submit or aimed at helping get enterprises on The Shina family owns ten grocery email [email protected]. a path to financing. “We also host stores in Michigan including Park The Michigan Good Food Fund was periodic workshops including a Bodega Street Market in Kalamazoo. For their created in partnership by Capital Boot Camp, which help aspiring grocers next venture they wanted to revitalize Impact Partners, Fair Food Network, understand how to put healthy food another previously shuttered grocery Michigan State University Center for at the center of their stores,” said store in Kalamazoo as part of a $9.4 Regional Food Systems, and the W.K. Mary Donnell, Program Manager of the million redevelopment project, which Kellogg Foundation. Since its launch in Michigan Good Food Fund. would include multiple retailers plus June 2015, it has invested more than One of the businesses that benefited a grocery store to serve this primarily $11.4 million in 90+ food businesses from the funding was Ken’s Fruit low-income neighborhood. across the state. n

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Will Lightning Strike Twice? Jackpot superstitions ensue at Ric’s Food Center after recent Mega Million win

n BY ASHOURINA SLEWO // DENHA MEDIA GROUP

ith no winner in sight, the Mega Millions jackpot kept creeping up, eventually W surpassing the billion-dollar mark. It was not until late October when the jackpot had reached a near historic $1.5 billion. While someone in South Carolina won the jackpot, a group of nurses and doctors in the Mount Pleasant area were also cashing in. A group of coworkers from the McLaren Central Michigan Hospital in Mount Pleasant had pooled their money and purchased 50 lottery tickets from MIRA I’m really happy for the community and I’m just happy member Ric’s Food Center. The group of 10 each for these nurses and doctors at the hospital,” he told contributed $10 to the office pool. TV5. “It probably made their day.” Tom Baumann, the vice president of operations According to Baumann, several, if not each member at Ric’s Food Center realized he had sold a million- of the group, is a regular Ric’s Food Center customer. dollar winner the following day. “It was reported on “Many of the nurses shop our store weekly,” he said. the local radio station before 7 a.m. the following “Of the 10 winners in the lottery group, most of them day,” he explained. are regular customers.” The group who had purchased the ticket, which Baumann says the nurses are now like local was comprised of nurses, one doctor and a secretary, celebrities. were unaware that they had the winning ticket. Since their win, Baumann has noticed more people Coincidentally, as reporters were interviewing coming to Ric’s Food Center to purchase lottery tickets. Baumann in regards to his sale of the winning tickets, Superstitious customers believe that lightning will strike one of the nurses and her husband were validating twice at the local grocery store and have been buying their ticket. lottery tickets in hopes of becoming the next million- “I was at the service desk when the customer asked dollar winner. what it meant if the screen said to contact the Michigan “Superstitious customers have been buying tickets Lottery office,” said Baumann. “The TV5 reporter was like crazy thinking maybe it’s true,” Baumann said. asking me for an interview and I suggested she get the “There are many customers that are superstitious and cameras rolling because the lottery winner is validating Ric’s is now their lottery purchasing center.” their ticket now!” This has been interesting for Baumann to watch. This is not the first winning ticket to have been sold While he may not be superstitious, he finds his fun in at Ric’s Food Center, says Baumann. In the store’s encouraging the enthusiasm surround the late October 42-year history, there have been other winners. None of win. “I am not superstitious at all, but it is fun to joke this caliber, though. with customers. ‘Don’t forget to buy your lottery ticket, “…This is the first time [selling a] million-dollar you know lightning strikes twice!’.” ticket,” he said. “I believe the largest winner before now In comparison to the recent $1.537 billion winner, was $10,000.” the highest lottery jackpot was the Powerball’s $1.586 No group of people is more deserving of this win, billion jackpot. This jackpot was won in January of Baumann told TV5 of the nurses. “Good day overall. 2016 by multiple tickets. n

20 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 Future Focused for Future Growth for Independent Grocers.

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CareWorksComp Newsletter

THE IMPORTANCE OF HAVING A the handicap condition pre-existed the TRANSITIONAL WORK PROGRAM claim and that the condition caused Also known as “light duty,” Transitional the claim or caused a delay in recovery Work for your injured workers plays resulting in increased claim costs. a key role in reducing workers’ comp The Ohio Revised Code recognizes the premiums. If you don’t have a light duty impairment must be due to one of 25 or formal transitional work program, eligible conditions or diseases. Most consider Modified Duty Off Site (MDOS). notably, these conditions include cardiac MDOS is a program in which the injured disease, arthritis, diabetes, epilepsy and worker is released to do meaningful Parkinson’s Disease. work at a local non-profit by their doctor. Handicap Reimbursement applications During this time, the employer pays their must be filed while the claim is in the wages and the injured worker transitions TRAINING FROM YORK + employer’s experience period. BWC back to full duty. The MDOS program can CAREWORKSCOMP processes the application and conducts be arranged by VocWorks. For additional Because of the great response we had to a conference and, if granted, determines information, visit vocworks.com. our live OSHA Record Keeping Webinar, the percentage of the claim’s cost they we have made available a recording. The will charge to the statutory surplus fund recorded webinar fulfills the 2-hour safety HAS YOUR ORGANIZATION BEEN instead of the employer’s experience. training requirement for Group and Group CITED BY OSHA? If BWC grants the application, claim Retrospective rated employers for this As RiskControl360° enters its thirteenth costs are reduced from the employer’s current program year (July 1, 2018 - June year in business, we are celebrating experience and BWC adjusts the 30, 2019). Register at yorkrsg.com/osha- the almost $300,000 they have saved employer’s claim experience resulting in record-keeping-webinar. clients in OSHA penalties over the lower premium payments. years. This team of professionals UNEMPLOYMENT TAX SEASON has represented employers at OSHA BWC WEBSITE: ACCOUNTS Winning unemployment claims will informal conferences across the state to RECEIVABLE TRANSACTIONS help you lower your tax rate, but there’s reduce penalty amounts and citations. Also known as “AR Transaction History” even more you can do to control your If your organization is ever involved screen on bwc.ohio.gov, this screen costs. Did you know that by making a in an OSHA inspection or receive a can help you understand the premium one-time payment at the end of the citation, call RiskControl360° to help amount you have paid to BWC and details year, you may be able to lower your tax you navigate the process and achieve any refunds you have received from BWC. rate even further? Last year, just this the most favorable outcome. BWC has recently distributed Group one component of our Claims and Tax Retrospective Rebates from the 2014, Management Service reduced one of WHAT ARE HANDICAP 2015 and 2016 program years as well our customer’s unemployment costs by REIMBURSEMENTS? as refunded the “Billion Back” from the $10,750 - the result of a one-time, $25 Handicap Reimbursement is a BWC 2016 rate year. voluntary payment. program that encourages employers If your organization receives an If you have multiple account numbers to hire and retain workers with pre- unexpected refund check from BWC, take owned by the same business entities, existing medical conditions. Handicap these steps to investigate: you also may be able to combine their Reimbursement allows an employer to tax rates together into a common group apply for reimbursement of claim costs ■■ Log in to your account on bwc.ohio.gov. rating. One of our clients was able to if a handicapped employee suffers an ■■ Navigate to the “View My Policy” page. save nearly $4,000 on his taxes for 2018 allowed work-related lost-time injury, ■■ Click “Premium installment Schedule”. by placing two of his companies in a disease or death claim. Under the ■■ Click “AR Transaction History” at the common group. program, an employer must prove that bottom of the page. n

22 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 express lines

Michigan Approves Recreational Marijuana: What You Need to Know

n BY CHASTITY PRATT DAWSEY, ALEXANDRA SCHMIDT // BRIDGE MAGAZINE

Michigan has become the first in any form. Those under the experts say. state in the Midwest to approve age of 21 are not permitted “I think it will depend on recreational use of marijuana, to possess, consume, or sell the seriousness – does a person capping a years-long debate here marijuana products. have baggie in the trunk or a over legalization. baggie in their pocket and appear Ballot Proposal 1, which 3 Once it takes effect, what can I to be driving impaired,” said legalizes the use and sale for do? Eric Lupher, president of the adults 21 and older, was headed The law allows users to carry 2.5 Citizens Research Council, a for victory, along with measures ounces in public and at home have nonprofit public affairs research to appoint a nonpartisan up to 10 ounces and 12 plants, as organization. commission to draw political long as they are not grown in a districts and implement same-day location visible from outside. 6 Can I run to the store to buy a voter registration. joint and smoke it next month? Michigan joins nine other 4 What can’t I do? Not quite. states and Washington, D.C. Smoke in public. Or drive Personal possession and in permitting some form of under the influence. That’s still growth is legal as soon as the recreational cannabis. Medical illegal. law takes effect, so sparking up marijuana is legal in 31 states, “The law is very clear on isn’t an issue, said Josh Hovey, a including Missouri, whose voters that,” said state Sen. Rick Jones, spokesman for the Coalition to approved an initiative for its use who sponsored a bill to pilot Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, Tuesday night. a new roadside saliva test for which led the initiative. The ballot measure comes marijuana detection. The trick could be buying 10 years after Michigan voters “It’s what they call zero marijuana legally in the first place. approved the use of medical tolerance. You may not have Michigan’s state and local marijuana. marijuana in your system governments must establish Here’s 11 questions and driving.” regulations before products hit the answers explaining what you need Possession is also illegal at shelves. That will take about two to know about the new law: K-12 schools or lands owned by years, as the initiative gives the the federal government, such as state’s Department of Licensing When does the law take effect? 1 national forests or parks. And and Regulatory Affairs 24 months About a month. while individual users can grow to create and start distributing Michigan’s Constitution states licenses. LARA spokesman David that approved initiatives “take plants, they can’t sell them. Sales effect 10 days after the date of the of any cannabis product requires Harns told Bridge “we anticipate official declaration of the vote.” state licensing and testing before it waiting until the election results That doesn’t happen until the hits the market. are certified [by the Board of election is certified by the Board State Canvassers] to discuss the Will police stop enforcing pot of State Canvassers, a process 5 particulars.” possession laws before it takes that usually takes about three “LARA is going to have its effect? weeks, said Fred Woodhams, hands full,” predicted Randy Marijuana is still illegal until the spokesman for Michigan’s Richardville, the spokesman law goes into effect, so there’s a Department of State. for Healthy and Productive one-month window when users Michigan, the major group that 2 Who can use marijuana? can still get arrested for pot in opposed Proposal 1. You must be at least 21 a state that voted to legalize it. That’s one government hurdle. years old to get or ingest cannabis Police likely will use discretion, Another is cities.

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The ballot measure in states that legalized it. have indicated they will continue was unpopular among elected U.S. Attorney General Jeff to penalize workers for negative officials, and municipalities Sessions has taken a hardline drug tests to ensure workplace can opt out of allowing stance against legalization and safety. commercial sales if they do not called on “all U.S. attorneys want marijuana markets coming to enforce the laws enacted by 10 How likely is a lawsuit to block to town. Congress.” But that’s largely gone implementation? Very, if the experience from other “To ban businesses entirely, unenforced, and The Wall Street states is replicated in Michigan. communities will need to adopt Journal reported “Mr. Sessions’ States that have adopted a local ordinance or pass a own prosecutors have yet to recreational marijuana have had referendum.” Hovey told Bridge. bring federal charges against pot numerous lawsuits over everything “But communities also have their businesses that are abiding by state from local ordinances to the smell local zoning and business laws l aw.” from marijuana production. to restrict or regulate marijuana The issue is far more “I don’t know who would businesses.” complicated for business owners. be involved, but is this going to Local governments can also In many states, because of bank cause a lot of litigation? Yes,” place a limit on the number of regulations, marijuana remains said Richardville, the Healthy and businesses they allow instead of a largely cash-only business, Productive Michigan spokesman. banning it outright. while there are serious tax He said his group so far has no Officials of Michigan’s big implications because of the federal plans to file suits. cities may not move quickly to get prohibition. business rolling. Grand Rapids’ Are prior marijuana convictions 11 Would the state be able to City Commission approved 8 impacted by the new legal delay implementation? medical marijuana businesses this Not really. Unlike the state’s 2008 status of the drug? year, but has yet to begin accepting No, the law only impacts use medical marijuana law, which license applications. Suzanne going forward. The new legislation encountered numerous delays, the Schulz of Grand Rapids’ City does not expunge prior convictions new recreational marijuana law Planning Commission says the for marijuana crimes or commute sets a timeline for licensing commissioners have not had any sentences. commercial enterprises. discussions about recreational State Rep. Sheldon State regulators, however, must marijuana. Neeley, D-Flint, in June address some lingering issues. City officials in Lansing and proposed legislation in June to For instance, the state is required Detroit either didn’t respond or allow Michigan residents to apply to set rules for edible products’ didn’t speculate on timelines for expungement of cannabis maximum levels of THC, the when contacted by Bridge. In misdemeanors. The bill hasn’t main psychoactive component in the meantime, as governments gained traction. marijuana. create regulations, medical pot “I think some of us would be dispensaries still will only be able 9 Can I still get fired for using very adamant that LARA needs to be frequented by those with marijuana? to take a real hard look at the medical marijuana cards. You bet. 6,000 words (in the law) and see Some industries, such what they can regulate,” said 7 Wait. Isn’t marijuana still as federal contractors or Richardville. illegal under federal law? transportation workers, will The Legislature could Yes it is, so you keep your bud still be required by the federal theoretically pass a law to impact out of national parks and off of government to test for marijuana the measure, but doing so would federal land. And many legal and fire users. Otherwise, require approval from a three- experts say landlords still can ban drug tests are up to individual fourths of the Legislature, which is tenants from using marijuana even companies. State business leaders a tall task. n

DECEMBER 2018 // www.MIRAmw.org // 25 express lines

NACS Comments on FDA’s E-Cigarettes, Menthol Regulations

n BY NACS ONLINE

On November 15th, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced its proposed regulations on the retail sale of flavored electronic cigarette products and a proposed ban on menthol cigarettes. Early reports suggested the FDA would prohibit convenience stores from selling flavored vaping e-cigarette products. Initial reading of the proposal suggests prevents persons under the age vice president of government the agency is calling for vaping of 18 from entering the store relations. “If enforcement shows flavors (melon, cucumber, etc.) at any time; or, a section of an that businesses are not following to be only sold in age-restricted establishment that adequately the law, then appropriate penalties stores, stores where there is an age prevents entry of persons should be imposed. We are restricted area, or in retail stores under the age of 18. Where the reviewing the FDA’s proposal without age restricted access but establishment itself is otherwise carefully and want to ensure that out of sight from customers (i.e. open to all members of the public, any final policy reflects these under the counter). It also appears in this instance, flavored ENDS important principles. We urge the that the agency will not impose products should not be visible or FDA to share any information new restrictions on unflavored or accessible to persons under the they have demonstrating that menthol vaping products. age of 18 at any time. its proposal will improve age In the final version released verification on e-cigarette sales.” by the FDA shortly after, Regarding FDA’s proposed ban “Where the establishment itself the highlighted language of menthol cigarettes, Beckwith was REMOVED, once again added: is otherwise open to all members bringing into question whether “There is an existing market of the public, in this instance, convenience stores would be for menthol cigarettes today prohibited from selling these and banning them will only flavored ENDS products should not products at all if they did not have shift those sales to the black be visible or accessible to persons an adult only section. market. Black-market sellers of We are currently reviewing tobacco products do not check under the age of 18 at any time.” FDA’s amended proposal and will the ages of their purchasers, advise NACS members as soon do not pay taxes on their sales, Later, more information as more information is available. and sell more than just menthol became available from the FDA: Our previous statements remain cigarettes. NACS urges FDA The compliance policy revision applicable: to implement a plan to stop the would not apply to these ENDS “Sound regulation should current black market and prevent products sold in age-restricted ensure that e-cigarettes are sold a new one before prohibiting a locations – for instance, a stand- responsibly and that the market product that we know will result alone tobacco retailer (such as is a level playing field,” said in large numbers of new black- a vape shop) that adequately Lyle Beckwith, NACS senior market sales,” he said. n

26 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 express lines

Juul Labs Issues Action Plan for E-Cigarette Product Sales Company will stop flavored Juul pod sales to all 90,000+ retail stores

selling to minors or allowing bulk sales of our products. We will permanently cut off all sales to retail stores with multiple violations,” says Burns. In addition to monitoring retail locations, Burns notes that the company will continue enforcement efforts against online marketplaces that sell Juul products in violation of their terms-of-service. “This year alone, Juul Labs has worked with online marketplaces, such as eBay, Alibaba, Amazon and DHgate, to remove more than 23,000 third- party listings of Juul products and/ or counterfeits,” he says. In late October Altria announced its plans to remove from the market MarkTen Elite and Apex by MarkTen pod-based n BY NACS ONLINE prepares to announce this week a products “until we receive a market sweeping ban on the sales of certain order from FDA or the youth issue e-cigarette products at convenience is otherwise addressed.” As of November 13th, Juul Labs stores—an effort to crack down Stay tuned to NACS Daily for has stopped accepting retail orders on the underage usage of vapor updates this week on the FDA’s for its Mango, Fruit, Creme, and products that specifically targets the forthcoming decisions. Cucumber JUUL pods to the more c-store industry. For decades the convenience than 90,000 retail stores that sell The company states that only industry has been leaders in its products, including traditional Juul pods that mirror what is age verification and responsible tobacco retailers (e.g., convenience currently available for combustible retailing. NACS is in touch with stores) and specialty vape shops. cigarettes—tobacco and menthol- both the FDA and Congress on “We will now make Mango, based products (Menthol and Mint this critical issue. NACS urges Fruit, Creme, and Cucumber pods) —will be sold to retail stores, its members to contact their available only on Juul.com, where including convenience stores and members of Congress and the we are adding additional age- specialty vape shops. FDA to explain the vital role of verification measures to an already “To secure sales of these the convenience store industry industry-leading online sales products, we are immediately as responsible retailers of legal system that is restricted to people increasing our secret shopper products. 21 years old and utilizes third party program, from 500 visits per month To contact your member of verification,” says CEO Kevin to roughly 2,000 per month, to Congress, please visit Burns in an official plan of action verify that our standards are being www.votervoice.net. posted on the company’s website. followed by retailers. We will also To contact the Food & Drug The action plan comes as the impose financial consequences Administration, please call U.S. Food and Drug Administration against retailers caught by FDA (301) 827-3101. n

28 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 Wishing You and Yours a season of Joy, a Season of Cheer, and to top it all off–a Happy New Year!

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Chicago Files Suit Against Online E-Cig Companies Lawsuits says that the companies are selling product to underage Chicagoans

n BY NACS ONLINE tobacco taxes and increasing haven’t always been supportive the legal tobacco buying age of the mayor’s efforts, citing an in the city to 21. This spring, increase in counterfeit and illegal The Windy City filed suit against retailers selling tobacco, including sales of cigarettes. eight online sellers of electronic electronic cigarettes, had to At a Monday news conference cigarettes yesterday, fulfilling post signs listing the hazards of ahead of the lawsuit filing, a campaign promise made by smoking and phone numbers of Emanuel targeted tobacco and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, cessation hotlines. electronic cigarette companies Chicago Tribune reports. The The mayor’s office has also for what he says are “deceptive re-elected mayor said the online requested information about e-cig marketing practices aimed at kids, retailers are selling the products to marketing practices and youth and he dismissed the notion of customers under the age of 21. prevention efforts from 33 vaping e-cigarettes as a cessation product Emanuel has supported higher manufacturers. City aldermen to help smokers quit. n

Minneapolis Could Revamp Healthy Food Ordinance City requirements on healthy food may change, taking cultural preferences into account

n BY NACS ONLINE public health specialist with the cultural preferences into account. Minneapolis Health Department Minneapolis city data found that told the Star Tribune that “they due to cultural preferences, 50% In 2014, a Minneapolis ordinance were being forced to stock items of Asian and 26% of East African required grocery stores, corner that consumers don’t eat.” stores had trouble complying with shops and c-stores to stock a The Star Tribune remarked the cheese requirements, while 50% variety of healthy foods from on The Fremont Market in north of Asian and 36% of Latino stores 10 categories. The goal of this Minneapolis, a corner store that had trouble with the whole-grain “staple foods” ordinance? Help ends up throwing away more fruits cereal category. consumers who don’t have easy and vegetables than he sells. “If On Nov. 26, the City Council access to a grocery store find I could sell the oranges and the will hold a public hearing and if nutritious products. apples like the chips, I will take the changes pass, ethnic food stores This year, 38% of the 250 off the chips and sell the oranges,” will not be required to stock items stores were fully compliant with owner Khaled “Mike” Azem told that their customers avoid. And as the ordinance. But a study by the newspaper. “But now we are long as these stores substitute the the University of Minnesota not making money. Most of the items they don’t want to stock with found that among small stores, oranges now go to the trash.” other nutritional products that their like c-stores, only 10% were As a result, the city is looking customers traditionally eat, they compliant. Store owners have to reduce required quantities won’t face penalties, said Daniel been complaining about the and combine food categories to Huff, the city’s environmental requirement. Kristen Klingler, a expand other varieties that take health director. n

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Three Takeaways on Checkout-Free Retail Frank Beard shares insights from a recent visit to a concept store by Standard Cognition

n BY FRANK BEARD* // NACS ONLINE Instead of wasting time scanning items, four desktop towers. “As we get more There’s a lot of retail innovation taking they just swipe a card or insert cash. It’s optimized and more efficient with our place in San Francisco, and I don’t just quick and simple. code,” he says, “we can shrink the mean Amazon Go. Located in the heart of compute size even further.” the city is Standard Store—a concept store “We’ve found zero retailers who said they created by Standard Cognition to showcase won’t take cash or credit cards anymore,” and refine their checkout-free technology. says Suswal. “Amazon can do that REHUMANIZING RETAIL because they have their own stores. But It’s a common misconception that I recently stopped by to experience it if we deploy our system to other retailers, checkout-free retail is the same as for myself. Like Amazon Go, it’s a true then we have to accept other forms of employee-free retail, but that’s false. checkout-free experience that uses payment.” Every time I’ve visited Amazon Go, for cameras to track everything customers example, there are many employees. take. The sign outside the store describes For those who wish to see the kiosk They’re free to do everything they the experience quite well: “Walk in. system in action, it will be installed in wouldn’t have time to do if they were Take things. Walk out.” Unlike Amazon, Standard Store in the upcoming weeks. stuck behind a counter scanning items. however, Standard Store relies on far Suswal says one of Standard Cognition’s fewer cameras and does not employ DEPLOYING FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS goals is to “re-humanize” retail. By pressure-sensitive shelving. Amazon Go famously uses pressure- removing the machines that exist Rather than operating their own stores, sensitive shelving, but Standard between people, we can interact in a Standard Cognition’s goal is to work with Cognition takes a different approach. more human way—much like we did existing retailers. They’re also gaining “How do you want to deploy to the hundreds of years ago in open-air valuable experience by deploying the world?” asks Suswal. “Amazon answers markets. system in Japan’s retail market. Standard that question by saying ‘we have the Cognition is working with Japanese “Retailers all around the world reach out, tech, so let’s build stores around it.’ Our wholesale and logistics company Paltac and the thing they talk about most is view is that there are millions of stores since there’s currently a labor shortage, customer experience. How can we create in the world. How can we simply retrofit reports Nikkei Asian Review. They’ve also experiences that get people to come into them? When you approach the problem set an ambitious goal of equipping more the store? How can we make our stores from that perspective, you get a number than 3,000 Japanese stores with the better or more unique?” of differences.” system by the summer of 2020. But that’s difficult to do when employees Suswal says the system must be flexible. A few weeks prior to my visit, I had a chat waste time on tasks that can be Pressure-sensitive shelving would with Michael Suswal—co-founder and chief automated—like inventory management. conflict with retailers’ merchandising operating officer. Here are three takeaways: Suswal describes a grocer who, despite and branding strategies by creating an having hundreds of stores, still sends experience that resembles every other staff armed with clipboards to count the CASH AND CREDIT ARE STILL store utilizing the technology. “You can’t items on shelves. WELCOME be flexible with shelf sensors,” he says. Checkout-free retail makes it possible to Standard Cognition offers two ways to “With our system, it’s a very different fully track and monitor inventory. In fact, pay for your products. First, tech-savvy implementation. Just cameras on the one of Standard Cognition’s products is customers can download the app and ceiling. That’s it.” an analytics platform aptly titled Standard “check in” when they arrive. When they’re Standard Cognition also aims to Analytics. As Suswal explained, many of finished shopping, they walk out and the be economical regarding hardware the company’s founders previously worked receipt is sent to their phone. requirements. Many retailers—both for the SEC building platforms to identify Second, those who don’t want to use large and small—may lack the space for fraud in the stock market. Only now they’re the app can walk in the store and shop extensive computer equipment. turning that passion into insights for store like normal. When they’re ready to leave, Suswal explains that some of the stores operators. n they’ll approach a kiosk that populates they work with in Japan only require * Frank Beard is a speaker, writer, and the screen with everything they took. convenience retailing analyst and advocate.

32 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 WE WON’T JUDGE

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DECEMBER 2018 // www.MIRAmw.org // 35 mira calendar

JANUARY 26, 2019 MIRA’S 103RD ANNUAL TRADE publishers statement DINNER & BALL Join over 1,000 leaders in the food, beverage & petroleum MIRA Bottom Line (USPS #2331; ISSN 0894- industries at this one-and-only black tie gala. Delight in 3567) is published monthly by Midwest fine cuisine, dancing and entertainment and engage with Independent Retailers Association (MIRA), at 5779 West Maple Road, West Bloomfield, colleagues and friends to celebrate the strength and vitality MI 48322. Materials contained within MIRA of MIRA and the members it serves. Bottom Line may not be reproduced without Penna’s of Sterling // Sterling Heights, MI permission from MIRA.

CONTACT: MARCH 2, 2019 T: (800) 666-6233 F: (866) 601-9610 MIRA’S 2ND ANNUAL CHICAGO METRO E: [email protected] GROCERS GALA Enjoy fine cuisine, network, dance and enjoy live Periodicals postage prices paid at Pontiac, MI entertainment with more than 500 industry leaders. and additional mailing offices. Sponsorship opportunities available. The Empress // Addison, IL The opinions expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of MIRA, its board of directors, staff members, or consultants. Bylined articles reflect the DATE & LOCATION TBA opinions of the writer. MIRA’S 35TH ANNUAL INNOVATIONS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to BUYING SHOW MIRA Bottom Line, 5779 West Maple Road, MIRA’s longest running trade show has retailers looking West Bloomfield, MI 48322. to fill their shelves for the spring and summer months. The Annual Innovations Buying Show is known MIRA works closely with these associations: for high-quality attendees, non-stop interaction and exhibitor satisfaction. Admission for MIRA members is free. Must be at least 21 years old to attend this show.

JUNE 18, 2019 MIRA FOUNDATION’S 10TH ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP LUNCHEON Every year, the MIRA Foundation awards academic scholarships in the amount of $1,500 each to extraordinary and deserving students in Michigan, Ohio and Illinois. Help the MIRA Foundation invest in the leaders of tomorrow. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities available. Detroit Athletic Club // Detroit, MI

36 // www.MIRAmw.org // DECEMBER 2018 Introducing what’s

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