Featured Affiliates

METROPOLITAN FOOD SERVICE EQUIPMENT

Mark LaVick says the TLW has always been important to him, and he appreciates the support members give each other, their communities and their customers. He’s been a member for more than 20 years as a bar owner and, when Metropolitan Food Service Equipment began in 2017, he enrolled the business as an affiliate member immediately.

Today, the business is based in Eau Claire, and has more than 200 people working 24/7 in the design, sales and service of all food service equipment products. Coolers, freezers, dishwashers, griddles, deep fryers, pizza ovens and bottle coolers, as well as under-bar sinks and glass washers are just a few of the things for which TLW members come to LaVick and his staff. He says the company also sells furniture, such as bar stools, tables and chairs.

“Coming off of this COVID-19 situation, the nice thing is, because we support businesses, we were never shut down,” LaVick explains. “That was good because a lot of people were offering takeout and refrigeration had to be maintained.”

He says that he’s a low-key sales guy and really just wants people to know that Metropolitan Food Service Equipment can help with any aspect of food service equipment needs. “We do everything from start to finish,” LaVick says. “Complete design, layout, installation, service, etc. We’re here to help.”

A unique aspect of the business is its focus not only on preventive care, but also on lifelong project management for equipment, making sure customers are satisfied from start to finish, and know of energy-efficiency and financial options along the way.

He explains that his organization’s partner company, Northwest Wisconsin Refrigeration Services, has been in business for more than 20 years in northwestern Wisconsin. In fact, Metropolitan Food Service Equipment was formed in 2017 to supplement Northwest and extend its reach. “We were able to grow quickly with tremendous support from other companies and serve this area of the state,” LaVick says.

“I truly believe in the Tavern League,” he adds. “I appreciate how it deals with the Legislature down in Madison and steps up with different charities, even helping one another through Communities Helping Empower Employers to Remain Successful (C.H.E.E.R.S.) Wisconsin this year.” (C.H.E.E.R.S. Wisconsin is a relief fund the TLW set up to help its members bridge the gap between the mandated COVID-19 closure and the day they were able to reopen.)

LaVick concludes, “The league provides huge benefits for its members and I’m proud to be associated with it.”

PARADISE PRINTING COMPANY

Dean Oschmann, or “Deano” as he’s known by, is owner and president of Paradise Printing Company in Madison. The company was founded in 1977. He explains that it was downtown for nearly 30 years before moving to the south side of the city seven years ago. He jokingly says he followed the Tavern League when it moved locations a few years back.

“It’s been a long relationship with the league. I try to reciprocate business with it and see it continue to grow, too,” Oschmann says.

He discloses that his business comes from within a 50-mile radius around Madison and “deals with anything paper-related.” Newsletters, signs, envelopes, vinyl ads, etc. are popular today.

Oschmann spends a lot of time in the Wisconsin Northwoods near Mercer and says the company has a solid customer base in that area as well. “When I go into taverns up there, I ask if they are a league member, and if they’re not, I forward along Pete’s business cards!” he says. (Pete Madland is the executive director of the TLW.)

Oschmann says he’s developed strong friendships with league members over the years, especially those with whom he overwinters and goes snowmobiling up North. He says it’s a lot of fun to have such unique friendships, and it’s nice to always hear “hi” and know that “I like to take care of them because they take care of me.”

“I’m a firm believer in supporting small business and that’s the biggest thing we can do,” Oschmann adds, referring to the COVID19 public health concern that’s negatively affecting the economy. “We’re going to get through these tough times by helping each other out.” He says this year has been difficult unless you’re in the right niche market.

Paradise has a small staff of seven people and Oschmann likes it that way. Customers are happy with the company’s products, and he’s seeing a huge trend in color prints that are bright, vibrant and eye-catching. “Colors sell,” he says, pointing out that his team has one of the best four-color systems available, which makes a huge difference in final product quality.

With a small, dedicated staff, Oschmann continues to be involved in all areas of the business and even delivers a lot of jobs himself. “There are a lot of people who don’t even know who I am and I like it that way,” he says with a laugh. “They just think I’m the delivery person, but it helps, because if they have a question, I can answer it most of the time!”

SUPERIOR VENDING

Andrew Schmitz started Superior Vending in 1990 to help supply Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin taverns, bars and restaurants with quality amusements. The company is based out of Vadnais Heights, Minnesota, but services establishments all the way down to La Crosse, where there’s another business location with a second warehouse and additional staff.

Schmitz explains that, in addition to ATMs and amusement machines, Superior Vending runs a lot of leagues. Two full-time staff run pool and other leagues and tournaments, and manage promotions for them. “We feel that, between our leagues, new equipment, help with promotions and top-notch service, we can significantly increase revenue in a lot of bars and taverns,” he declares.

Schmitz says now that things are opening up, clients are looking for ways to replace machines and other ideas to increase the bottom line. He’s helping to take on that task by evaluating the sales routes for Superior Vending, then offering ideas for machine upgrades and having customers start thinking about the leagues to come in the fall.

Schmitz says that online dartboards are currently a huge draw for his TLW clients. “People can be playing at locations hundreds of miles apart and see each other through this new technology,” he explains. “These remote leagues are on the cutting edge of technology, and one of the strongest and biggest things we do.” “We feel that, between our leagues, new equipment, help with promotions and topnotch service, we can significantly increase revenue in a lot of bars and taverns.”

It’s not unusual for a darts team from the Twin Cities to play one in La Crosse, he says. A camera on a 19-inch monitor is mounted above the dartboard and players can see each other as they throw. This option widens the size of competition that can be hosted at smaller, more remote establishments. He says the ability to widen the variety of competition is important, too. For example, six skill levels can play darts together.

As a tavern owner himself, Schmitz says the TLW is a vital part of his business and, with Superior Vending, the feeling is the same. “A lot of my customers think it’s important that we support and stay involved with the Tavern League as well,” Schmitz adds. He attends the St. Croix Tavern League banquet each year and helps out in any way he can.

Schmitz says he’s always happy to do free consultations for anyone interested in learning more about Superior Vending’s services and products, and discovering ways to increase revenue streams at their business.

SUPERIOR VENDING

3860 Labore Road, Vadnais Heights, MN 55110 (651) 554-8363 | superiorvendinginc.com