Which Minnesota cities sell the most liquor

By the numbers: Here are the top five cities, ranked by gross sales in 2022, according to an annual state audit released Wednesday.

1. Lakeville: $21.9 million
2. Edina: $14.4 million
3. Richfield: $14.2 million
4. Eden Prairie: $12.1 million
5. Apple Valley: $10.9 million

Why it matters: Profits are sent back to cities, which use the funds for parks, libraries, public safety, infrastructure and other services.

Yes, but: Margins are thin for city-owned liquor operations, and they got even thinner in 2022, when profits fell 26% year-over-year.

• Lakeville, for example, transferred just under $1.3 million to the city's coffers last year — a margin of about 6%.
• Brooklyn Center liquor stores lost almost $60,000 in 2022, according to the report, and transferred no money to the city.

Between the lines: State Auditor Julie Blaha said in a news release that municipal stores' profits were hit by rising labor costs and inflation