Hoffmanns aim at chain liquor stores in Southern Illinois
Steve Hoffmann and brothers have acquired six of seventeen major liquor outlets serving Carbondale, Marion, Murphysboro, and Mt. Vernon while federal and local investigations probe possible financial ties. They discuss expansion, licensing efforts, and a bookkeeping service tied to several stores amid disputes over licenses and dry vs wet status.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Steve Hoffmann
Hoffmann
Thomas
Philip
Carbondale
Marion
Murphysboro
Mt. Vernon
Carbondale Liquor Commission
Hoffmanns
Illinois Liquor Control Commission
Harrisburg
Steve
ST Hoffmann Enterprises
College Clubs, Inc
Flamingo
Bonaparte’s Retreat
Bonaparte’s
College Clubs
Tom Hoffmann
John Covas
Tom Frickleton
Covas
Frickleton
Southern Illinois University
Westmore Liquor Mart
Plaza Liquors
Downstate Liquors, Inc
Philip Hoffmann
ABC Liquor
Hoffmann Brothers
Southern Illinois Liquors
Hoffmann’s
Leo’s
Robert and
Thomas Palmier
Carbondale License Case Links Hoffmanns to Liquor Market
Former Carbondale mayor David Keene recalls learning of Steve Hoffmann's wealth in 1968 and recognizing he could break the local liquor monopoly. Hoffmann and his brother Thomas, SIUC students, sought a license and were granted one amid a shifting business landscape.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Carbondale
David Keene
Steve Hoffmann
Keene
Hoffmann
Thomas
Hoffmanns
Southern Illinois University-Carbondale
SIUC
Liquor Advisory Board
Budslick
City Hall
Steve
Tom
Former Mayor Keene and Hoffmann liquor monopoly claim
Former Mayor David Keene viewed Steve Hoffmann as a candidate to break Illinois liquor store monopoly in the 1967 campaign. Hoffmann and brothers own six stores in Carbonale Marion Mt. Vernon and Murphysboro. Keene alleged bribery offers in 1968 to withhold licenses. a Jackson County grand jury found insufficient evidence and did not indict.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Illinois
Steve
Tom
Philip
Southern Illinois
Carbondale
Marion
Mt. Vernon
Murphysboro
Keene
Jackson County
Six-store buying power recounts in grand jury testimony
The grand jury summoned liquor store owner William Budslick banker William Whitson City Atty George Fleerlage and Keene to testify. Keene recalled from his Fort Lauderdale home the early days of his four year term as mayor and liquor commissioner in a recent telephone conversation.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
William Budslick
William Whitson
City Atty
George Fleerlage
Keene
Forida
Hoffmanns Deny Multi Store Discount Sign Tied to Plaza
In Mt Vernon and nearby cities the Hoffmann brothers own six liquor outlets through ST Hoffmann Enterprises. W Stephen Hoffmann says the Plaza sign comes from former owner Harold Lowery and he orders wine for all stores but only one case at a time. The Illinois Dram Shop Act governs licenses and violations may jeopardize permits. Lowery’s wife says his involvement was limited to Plaza.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hoffmann
Hoffmann’s
ABC
Downstate Liquors, Inc
ST Hoffmann Enterprises
Steve
Foremost of Chi
Stephen
Thomas Hoffmann
University Mail
Carbondale
Mall
Carbondale Township
Hoffmanns
Jackson County Circuit Court
Charles T. Rendleman
J.W. McKinney
First National Bank of Carbondale
Walgreen’s
John Womick
Walgreen
Steve Hoffmann
Carbondale Liquor Advisory Board
Neal Eckert
Robert Palmier
Plaza Liquor Martin
Mt. Vernon
W. Stephen Hoffmann
W. Stephen
Harold Lowery
Hoffmann Brothers
Steve, Thomas and
Philip
Plaza
Eastgate
Westmore
Marion
Illinois Liquors
Murphysboro
Williams, Duncan and Kirk
Hoffmann Stores
Lowery
Keene
Eastgate Liquor Mart
Budslick
Tom
Liquor Advisory Board
ST Hoffmann Enterprises, Inc
Liquor price survey ties Hoffmanns to area stores
A Northwestern University team surveyed 17 Southern Illinois liquor stores on May 29 and found strongest price competition between Southern Illinois Liquors owned by the Hoffmanns and Crystal's Palace north of Murphysboro, with Crystal's Palace offering the lowest overall prices. In Carbondale Westroads Liquor beat rivals in price, while Marion’s Value-Plus generally undercut the Hoffmanns. The study noted cheaper beer and that Hoffmann brands ran higher prices outside Mt. Vernon. The article also outlines Hoffmanns’ expansion, sales, and political links surrounding liquor licensing in Carbondale.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
The
Southern Illinoisan
Northwestern University
Southern Illinois
Murphysboro
Southern Iinois Liquors
Hoffmanns
Crystal’s Palace
Grandpa John’s
Hoffmann
Hoffman
Kiev Vodka
Canterbury Gh
Samuel T. Crockett
Mt. Vernon
Eastgate Liquor Mart
Carbondale
ABC Liquor
Plaza Liquor Mart
Business Week
U.S. Brewers Association
Ownership history of Southern Illinois Liquors Murphysboro
City records show transfer of Southern Illinois Liquors from Robert Bizzell and Janet L. Bizzell to David Watt and Robert Palmier in September 1973, forming Murphysboro Liquors, Inc. Watt and Palmier owned until March 17, 1975, when the Hoffmanns and Downstate Liquors bought Watt’s half. Palmier remained general manager.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Southern Illinois Liquors
Murphysboro
N. 12Th Street
Thomas Jones
Michael Bowers
Bowers
David Watt
Robert Palmier
Lee’s
Westown Liquor Mart
Carbondale
Package
Bizzell
Janet L. Bizzell
Watt and Palmier
Murphysboro Liquors, Inc
Southern Illinois Liquors, Inc
Watt
Palmier
Hoffmanns
S T Hoffman Enterprises
Downstate Liquors Inc
Watt’s
Steve Hoffmann
Hoffmann
Steve Hoffman
Murphysboro Liquors Inc
Also Mentioned on This Page
John Trimble
Brothers
Cage
Bening
Hoffmans
Williams
Duncan
Kirk
William
Hoffmann Liquor
Westown Liqoor Mart
Broadway Buy-Low
Records
Rhmd Corp
Ronald H. McDaniel
Broadway
Palmiers
Carbondale City Council
Liquor Commission
Leo
Noreen Marcus
Southern Illinois An
Saintes Besos
Canadia Cc
N.A
N.A. N.A
Waa
Wake
Asa
Semel T. Crockett
B.a. Bourbon
Liquor Centre
Budslicks
Washington Street
Siu-C
SIU
Northern Illinois
Barrington
University of Illinois
Europe
Mexico City College
Ager
Drake P. Kaase
City of
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