BAY ST. LOUIS, Miss. - There's a pretty astonishing sight as you head east out of town on Highway 10. Smack between a completely gutted CVS pharmacy and a boarded-up Quizno's are the bright neon lights of Bay Discount Wine and Liquor. It's open for business, a startling beacon of commerce in an otherwise deserted and ghostly strip shopping center.
It seems, says Michael Haggard, the proprietor, that "a liquor store floats."
When the floods of Hurricane Katrina poured into the store more than two months ago, more than half of his stock was untouched, perched on shelves up to 6 feet high. Everything below the water line, roughly 2 1/2 feet, simply rose to the top.
The floor and the bottom shelves were coated with thick mud, and it took Haggard a month to get back to town from Oklahoma City and start cleaning things up. On Nov. 5, he opened his doors to any customers who might wander by while he and his family take inventory. Most everything survived the flooding; the inventory is to figure out what disappeared thanks to looters who were able to crawl in during the month he was away.
It's truly a family-run enterprise. The staff comprises Haggard, his wife of four years, Mary Ann Becker, their children from previous relationships -- there are eight in all, the youngest 22 years old -- and assorted significant others. A 6-month-old black Labrador retriever recently adopted from a shelter (she's named Storm, of course) gallumphs through the aisles but otherwise contributes little to the counting, which continues, slowly but surely.
Once upon a time, an 'awesome business'
It looks cheery enough from the outside. It's a mirage.
Haggard and Becker had another store in Long Beach, down the road a bit; it was destroyed. So were both their houses. They're living for now in a FEMA trailer in front of their damaged Bay St. Louis house.
Getting Bay Liquor back in business is a tough enough fight, but Haggard is wrestling with other foes: There are no customers, and the state Alcoholic Beverage Control board is on his case.
"We had an awesome business," says Lauren Stager, a de facto manager of the store. (She's dating one of Becker's sons and has worked there since it opened in 2001.)
But Haggard estimates that three-quarters of his customer base has left town. Many of them will probably never come back, because "there's just no way to make a living here," he says.
On top of that, the tourists drawn by the arts district in Bay St. Louis have no reason to visit anymore. "There's no art galleries anymore," he says. "There's no 'historic Old Town Bay St. Louis.'"
The store also lost most of its wholesale business, because those customers -- bars, restaurants and the like -- were just as shattered. By his count, Haggard says, there were 53 bars, taverns, clubs and other liquor-retailing restaurants in Waveland and Bay St. Louis before the hurricane. Now, he says, there are two.
For the long term, of course, "the worst thing about this is losing the customers," Haggard says. But right now, he grinds his teeth over an edict by the ABC board that he must destroy any bottles of wine and hard liquor that came into contact with the flood water. The caps, corks and seals are intact on the bottles, so they're perfectly safe to drink, he maintains, but the state said they couldn't be resold, even as discount salvage.
That's $40,000 of inventory, right there, and it's $40,000 straight out of his pocket, because he purchases his wares outright from distributors.
"I own every bottle in here free and clear," Haggard says. He'd already paid the 7 percent state sales tax on all of them, up front.
Looking into the darkness
The sign on the door says Bay Liquor doesn't close till 10, but as the sun sets, Haggard and the crew , which at the moment consists of Mary Ann; Stager; Mary Ann's son, Stephen, and his girlfriend, Alissa Stechmann; and Storm, are getting ready to shut things down for the night. They're all alone in the shopping center, save a temporary CVS trailer several hundred yards away, and none of the street lights is working. The store stands out in the dark, an inviting target for robbers.
"Everybody knows about convenience stores and liquor stores," Stager says.
As the last scarce customer heads out, Haggard is quietly seething. He and his family have lost their homes. They've pretty much lost their customers. They've lost one of their stores. And now the revenuers are ordering him to discard almost half of the other one.
Those bottles are his personal possession, he reminds you. No one should be able to tell him what to do with them.
"There might be a law against me selling it," he concedes. But "there's no law against me owning it."
He shakes his head when he's asked to ponder the future.
"It's pretty bad. I can't find a silver lining."
Heavy hitters, filling 'cracks'
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I'd sell it on the black market first.
Tim Denton (Sent Nov 14, 2005 5:57:10 PM)
I just spoke with Michael Haggard at Bay Discount Wine and Liquor. Not only is he being told he cannot sell these bottles, he is being told that they must be crushed. This is his private property!!
By the way, his physical address (that you can confirm by Yellow Pages, Google, Yahoo or other engine) is:
295 Hwy 90
Bay St. Louis, MS 39520
(His PO Box is 4151 and he said that's more reliable.)
He's a nice guy. Give him a call at
(228) 466-5678.
He hadn't seen the article yet when I spoke with him just now, and he was very encouraged to hear that folks had posted responses.
1) The government needs to work with small business owners on compromise solutions to such problems (the ideas posted here about "souveniers" were great!).
2) We citizens must help our own. If I send a check to Mike today (which I'm going to do), I know who I'll be helping. I encourage you to "sponsor" individuals in addition to general giving to Red Cross and other reputable organizations.
Sorry for the ramble fest. I just think about the upcoming holidays and how hard it is for those folks who are homeless from the storms.
Renee Hartsook, Milpitas, CA (Sent Nov 14, 2005 5:59:34 PM)
anyone wanting to contact Mike Haggard can reach him by email: bayliquor@aol.com.
Sue Harrison (Sent Nov 14, 2005 6:55:54 PM)
I can think of a hundred questions to ask, but the biggest one is where is your insurance agent in all this. It appears to me that you have loss coverage that will replace the inventory you either lost at the time of the storm, or will lose as a result of it. This is a good lesson for all who are in retail businesses. Contaminated goods represent a big hit and a factor that many do not think about in their contingency planning.
Gary A. Clark, Colorado Springs, CO. (Sent Nov 14, 2005 7:11:32 PM)
EBAY, EBAY, EBAY!!!!!!!Need I say more?
Robert Hall (Sent Nov 14, 2005 8:12:23 PM)
i think it is terrible what they are limiting their own people to do. . . and that is what i have to say
and you have my support. . . good luck & dont give up
millymel (Sent Nov 14, 2005 8:18:26 PM)
REDISTILL IT ALL AND RESELL IT AS KATRINA RESURECTED.
csoots bethel alaska (Sent Nov 14, 2005 8:55:27 PM)
What someone that has not been there is not aware of is of the conflicting positions of the insurance companies. The property carriers point out that the damage was caused by a flood, and consequently they are not liable. The flood carriers point out that the water was a result of the storm, and a storm surge is a storm event. Not their problem, talk to your casulty carrier.
Sort of leaves you between a rock and a hard place, doesn't it.
I wish that my first day in Hancock County had been prior to 17 September 2005. I was on of the Amateur Radio Operator's that spent some time there. I left on 27 October to drive to Florida to help pick up after Wilma.
My first visit to Hancock County will not be my last, I just wish that I had seen it before Katrina did her thing. As a profssional accountant I would reccomend that you take advantage of the SBA loans available, and encourage any other businessmen to do the same. Without you Hancock County will not come back, and that whould be a sin.
WB3FUP Mike Hall (Sent Nov 14, 2005 9:08:07 PM)
Do you have a receipt of those bottles the agency telling you to destroy? DEMAND that they pay for them! This is YOUR property so you should be duly compensated, and also, find an attorney if you can. They have no right to do this to you....the sealed bottles, what can possibly get in? Ridiculous! You are definetely in our prayers. Oh...TAKE PICTURES of all the stock they want you to destroy, and like I said, if you have any paperwork such as receipts on the, be sure to make copies and send them to the agency, as well as to the Mayor, the Governor and of course we should not leave out the President of the United States..and a nice letter to them telling them of your plight. This is costing you money, not only in lost goods but in future sales. Do some research too, as to the sealed bottles and the lack of likelyhood any contaminants could get into the bottles. Find another winery, or bottling company person to talk to and to get them to document the safety of the seals on bottles. Bless you and best of luck in all of your future endeavors.
Valerie, San Diego, California (Sent Nov 14, 2005 9:22:59 PM)
IF THE GOVERNMENT CAN TELL YOU WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH WHAT YOU ALREADY OWN FREE AND CLEAR. WHAT ELSE ARE THEY GOING TO MAKE US DO. START CHARGING FOR THE AIR WE BREATHE AND HOW WE BREATHE IT. SIGNED, 1 OF THE 8 CHILDREN.
T KIMBRELL (Sent Nov 14, 2005 9:45:11 PM)
I lived in Long Beach and used to go to Andy's all the time. I am sad to know that its gone and that there are so many problems occuring over liquor "you own." Thats the government for you. My heart truly goes out to you. I loved going to Andy's in Long Beach and being greeted by Patrick, the spunky red head of the family. He would always have some sort of anecdote about living/working a 60 hour week in his second home the liquor store to support his family(3 children under the age of 3 if I remeber). Its really sad to know that this its all gone now. He and his wife were so kind and helpful...I have to wonder how they are. If anyone knows how Patrick and his famlily are doing or if I could be put in touch with him I would love that. But I wish you all the best of luck, sit on the liquor for a while consider it a 40,000 investment and you just have to ride the market for a while and see how things pan out but don't give in and destroy the liquor after all you own it and that would just be ludacris. All our Love-LC
LC, Long Beach MS (Sent Nov 14, 2005 11:36:39 PM)
Well, to anyone who says his bottles are contaminated because of the water, I say "rubbish." I could be wrong in this case, but most areas "only" experienced a storm surge. It came and went pretty rapidly. Mostly seawater, debris, etc. It's probably not likely the stuff soaked for weeks as it did say, in a liquor store in New Orleans. I wouldn't hesitate to drink some of the liquor, once the outside of bottle had been properly wiped down.
As for those suggesting he sell the bottles as keepsakes on eBay, etc... nice idea. Unfortunately, I don't think you can sell liquor across state lines, through the mail, etc. (I think wine might be different, but just trying to recall the law...) Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.
I agree with the sentiment expressed by some others... big party. 2000 gallon tanker of Jungle Juice, anyone? Voluntary donations (because right now, I'm assuming he's screwed on insurance.)
Good luck getting back on your feet. I can't imagine what it's like. I went through a supertyphoon on Guam in 2002, but my house was a concrete fortress on high ground. No power afterward, but all was safe.
If I'm ever down that way, I'll try to look you up and buy a bottle of whatever you have on the shelf.
Sam, Spokane, Washington (Sent Nov 15, 2005 12:19:11 AM)
Our hearts go out to you and your family for your losses. I find it to be so unfortunate that after everything you have been through and lost, that the gov. now wants you to destroy what little you have left, it is such a shame. Although you probably don't have much now, you really need to consider hiring a lawyer to go after your insurance company and make them pay. Although i have never had the misfortune to lose everything, I truly feel for you and all other survivors of this catastrophic disaster. You will be in our prayers.
andrea H, Owego, NY (Sent Nov 15, 2005 7:09:25 AM)
Screw the ABC. They are bad people and do not care about your livelyhood. You do what you have to to survive.
Tod, Houston, Texas (Sent Nov 15, 2005 9:05:50 AM)
First, take photos of your family against the stock in the background - sell these photos as the Katrina souvenirs. Then separate the alcohol from the drink and sell it as alternative fuel. Finally, sell the empty cleaned bottles to a glass or bottle recycling company. Or you could put little ships in the empty cleaned bottles and resell those. Or build a giant glass robot sculpture from the empty cleaned bottles and charge a buck to view it, 2 bucks for media. Then sell the rights to Hollywood for the Giant Glass Robot movie. Or carefully document and photo each bottle in a book and sell copies of the book as Katrina souvenirs. Get someone like David Letterman to do one of his 'smashing' shows where he smashes the whole inventory at once with a tank or bulldozer, pays you. Maybe they could get a platoon to line up the entire lot and use it for target practice, unless they are chicken they will miss. Or rub each bottle with the hopes that one is really a magic lamp.
Bruce M., Carmel, Indiana (Sent Nov 15, 2005 9:41:05 AM)
Mike was told that he could not give it away, or take any home. He is talking about inventory that was not under flood water, but was sitting on a shelf where water only got 2 inches on the bottom of the bottles.
In Mississippi, the only place that the liquor stores can purchase their inventory is from the ABC State Tax Commission. The ABC buys from wholesale distributors, and then sells to permitted retail stores under their control.
The shopping center where the store is located is not in a flood zone according to the FEMA guidelines and people where told they did not need flood insurance.
Many homeowners face the same dilemma as they are way above the flood line and were told no flood insurance was needed, therefore, many homeowners here were caught uninsured. Camille was used as a guideline for flood areas and I guess no one thought anything could be worse than Camille.
Sue Harrison (Sent Nov 15, 2005 11:49:32 AM)
I came across this article and it had me flabbergasted!! The audacity of the government to tell you how and what to do with your own property. Then again, it's the government. They seem to have all of the answers.....NOT!! I've heard so many great ideas to do with your inventory to at least get what you paid for from it without actually consuming what's inside, that's what counts, right? I wish you the best of luck and as you can see, there are a lot of people on your side, including me. Take care and God Bless!!
L Berardi, Smyrna, GA (Sent Nov 15, 2005 12:31:06 PM)
If you include a clearly stated warning that the consumption of the liquid is not recomended and may cause illness, you should be able to sell YOUR PERSONAL property. That is the whole purpose for a disclaimer, which many large corporations have used over the years and continue to do so today. Of course these agencies don't think about what you've already been through, compation is not a word that they understand. Don't give up without a fight. Good luck and God bless.
Tina (Sent Nov 15, 2005 12:48:29 PM)
Would all of you be supporting him if he intended on selling food products that were in contaminated water? Would you buy a jar of pasta sauce and consume it? The seal would still be intact and the outside were simply wiped clean... I wouldn't. How would he feel if someone were sickened by a bottle he "thought" was safe? How does he know for sure they are safe?
Carol S. (Sent Nov 15, 2005 2:31:34 PM)
mabey a give bottle to those fema rats..... helps the poison go down
tami Iowa (Sent Nov 15, 2005 2:37:47 PM)
Shopped there many times. I used to have a place in BSL, but sold it last summer because of the hurricanes here in Florida (my primary residence). Glad to hear that you all made it through
Gene, Winter Park, FL (Sent Nov 15, 2005 3:38:44 PM)
First things first, DEMAND the ABC refund the pre-paid sales tax on every bottle. If they won't do this tell them to go pound sand. They must refund a pre-paid sales tax if it was never collected. Then PARTY, just be sure to check the bottles for sediment. I feel for you, tropical storm Allison put 5 1/2 in my house. Good luck
Nick, WG, Pa. (Sent Nov 15, 2005 3:49:29 PM)
Please remember Bay St Louis and Waveland are filled with small business owners who lost their homes and their business. He was lucky enough to get posted. Please remember lets help all the business owners.
THANKS!
BettySue, Waveland (Sent Nov 15, 2005 3:51:34 PM)
WHO DIED AND LEFT THEM GOD??? CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT AND GET A LAWYER.........GOOD LUCK;;;
NELLIE,LYONS,GEORGIA (Sent Nov 15, 2005 3:56:17 PM)
send me some cod
782 20th street #3
San pedro, CA 90731
The ABC should be worry about other stuff.
jenny w san pedro, ca (Sent Nov 15, 2005 4:26:24 PM)
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