League Profile

MARQUETTE COUNTY TAVERN LEAGUE

It’s prime season for the Marquette County Tavern League. With many campgrounds and space to recreate, Marquette County comes alive in the summer. According to Paden Drew, Marquette County Tavern League president, who took over Drew’s Lakeside Bar & Grill in Montello from his parents eight years ago, “We have eight to 10 campgrounds. The largest, Wilderness Campground, houses about 3,000 people, almost doubling the population of Montello — the hub of Marquette County.”

And it is the county league’s 48 members who help keep all those campers — and other visitors — hydrated, fed and entertained. “We have mom-and-pops, two 18-hole golf courses, and even most of the liquor and grocery stores have joined,” says Drew. “We really have a community here. Anyone who wants to visit the beautiful county of Marquette, we are willing and ready to welcome you.”

The Marquette County Tavern League hosts multiple events throughout the year to help support the tavern community and the county. The spring and fall golf outings support the county’s SafeRide Program. Then the league sells 100 tickets for $50 each for the midwinter Cash Bash event. The ticket includes a luncheon and the opportunity to win a drawing, with the first through 10th places scoring cash prizes. This year’s events raised almost $10,000 for the league and the SafeRide Program through ticket sales, raffles and other giving opportunities.

Marquette County pays two drivers to offer safe rides through the SafeRide Program. Members who attend monthly meetings are given five SafeRide vouchers per meeting per establishment, free of charge. Without a voucher, rides are still available for $10. In May, Drew estimates the county league provided almost 175 rides. and support local charities, too. “Last year, we donated almost $100,000 to local charities that help support the whole county and give back to the community,” says Drew.

League members discuss which local organizations to support at their monthly meetings, which are held on the first Monday of every month. Drew keeps members on task with a set business agenda, and brings in guest speakers when available and relevant. Meeting attendance averages between 20 and 30 each month. Members in attendance vote on the location of the following month’s meeting.

“It is a great networking opportunity,” explains Drew, with respect to the value of the TLW and its meetings. “I wouldn’t know half of the people in my community if it weren’t for the Tavern League. It’s great that you can get together with someone from two towns away, and have the same ideals, and share ideas and information to make money and support the community.”

The Marquette County Tavern League “doesn’t go out of its way” to recruit new members, notes Drew, but relies on word of mouth. “This is a small community. We can easily talk to people, see people and share the benefit of membership. Overall, word of mouth is the best around here and works surprisingly well.”

Plus, with 65 licensed establishments in the county (not counting gas stations), most are already members.

Now, in his third year as president, Drew is working on the Marquette County Tavern League’s business basics to ensure the organization continues to hum. For instance, he is writing out standard operating guidelines. “That way,” he explains, “if something happens, someone can hand off a book with all the information, and they are ready and raring to go. It’s a good thing for our league’s longevity and continued operation.” TLW