Success Story: Schlittzen Liquor

Cody and Kayce Schlittenhard Find Success with Schlittzen Liquor

LANGDON – In February 2024, Cody and Kayce Schlittenhard embarked on a new venture that would soon become a mainstay in their community of Langdon, North Dakota. By July of 2024, they proudly opened the doors of Schlittzen Liquor, a store that quickly became a go-to stop for locals. Schlittzen Liquor offers customers a wide selection of off-sale liquor, wine, beer, pizza, and even fishing bait. The Schlittenhards also later added a neighboring business, Rockin’ Energy, which provides Herbalife Nutrition teas and shakes in a separate space. While the two businesses share a location, Schlittzen Liquor was the primary project the couple worked on with the North Dakota SBDC.

For Cody, entrepreneurship was nothing new. He had been self-employed since 2011, bringing flexibility and fresh ideas into every venture. For Kayce, however, stepping into business ownership was something completely new. Transitioning from a traditional 9-to-5 job into the unknowns of business ownership was daunting, but she describes it as one of the most rewarding decisions she has made. With the guidance of Ashley Louw, business advisor at the Devils Lake Center, the Schlittenhards received critical support in the planning stages of Schlittzen Liquor. Ashley assisted with financial projections and a professional business plan, which is an essential tool for securing the funding needed to bring their vision to life.

“Ashley put our projected numbers together in no time and helped with our business plan,” Kayce shared. Since opening in July 2024, Schlittzen Liquor has experienced strong growth that many might consider unusual for such a short amount of time. Cody and Kayce attribute much of their success to their community. “We are a very tight-knit, locally owned community,” they said. “The community is the reason our business continues to thrive.” The couple enjoys the flexibility of business ownership, but they don’t shy away from the realities of hard work. “Opening your own business is hard and can be very challenging. It can be easy to just throw in the towel,” said Cody. “You’ll have to put in long hours, but the outcome will be well worth it.”

Their advice for other entrepreneurs? “Do not second-guess yourself. Trust your gut and put in the hard work to create a successful business you can be proud of!” With guidance from the ND SBDC, Cody and Kayce turned their idea into Schlittzen Liquor, a thriving local option that reflects their commitment and the support of the Langdon community.