Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Campo.
Hi Dan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was raised in the industry. My parents, children of Italian immigrants who grew up in New York, shared a deep passion for wine and recognized a need in the southwest area of Minneapolis for a small, family-run wine, beer, and spirits shop. My training began informally at a young age, often listening to my parents discuss the intricacies and challenges of running a family business around the dinner table.
At one point, my mother brought home a deli slicer with the idea of opening a deli and cheese shop reminiscent of the places she and my father enjoyed in Brooklyn. However, that idea never came to fruition, and the slicer sat in our basement for years—symbolizing a dream deferred.
After completing my education and spending time working, traveling, and living in different parts of the country, I eventually returned to Minnesota. When I did, I saw new potential in the family’s aging yet well-stocked shop. I decided to purchase the business so my father could retire, and began a full renovation of the original location. As the business quickly outgrew that space, we built a new, 36,000-square-foot facility.
Today, our operation features an expansive, carefully curated selection of wine and spirits, along with the world’s largest beer cooler and collection. Most meaningfully, I was finally able to realize my parents’ long-held dream by opening a Brooklyn-style Italian deli and wine bar, offering 24 wines on tap and a selection of craft beers.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road to where we are today has been anything but smooth—business-wise, it’s been one of the most challenging journeys imaginable. My wife and friends often tell me I should write a book about everything we’ve been through. I sometimes joke that we “put the fun in dysfunction,” but the truth is, it was an uphill battle.
Turning the original business around meant untangling a web of unnecessary systemic barriers. I had to navigate complex family dynamics, difficult landlords, and even individuals who seemed to actively work against our success. At times, it felt like every obstacle possible was being thrown in our path.
What made the difference was having a very supportive wife that listened to me outside of work and offered me creative solutions when I was out of ideas. And building a team of honest, reliable people who share a commitment to our goals. Their dedication has helped us push forward.
I believe the key to enduring the tough times is passion. Building a business means facing days months and yes, years when you’re exhausted, frustrated, and wondering if the struggle is worth it. But then you have those moments—when a customer tells you how much they love what you’re doing, when you see your team succeeding—that make it all worthwhile. And if you’re lucky, you wake up the next day genuinely excited to keep building.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
During my undergraduate studies, I paused my education to take a unique opportunity with an advertising agency that had me traveling across North America. After about a year and a half, I returned to complete my degree. Upon finishing finals, I immediately moved to Colorado to enjoy the mountains and gained experience working with a couple of small tech companies.
Then, unexpectedly, I received a call from a Minnesota senator. Long story short, he made me an offer I couldn’t refuse, and I moved back to St. Paul to lobby at the Minnesota Legislature. A few years into that role, my father called out of the blue—he was dealing with issues involving his business partner and asked me to review the financials at South Lyndale Liquors.
The business had a loyal customer base, but operationally, it was in rough shape. That moment marked a major turning point: I ended up helping my father transition into retirement and took on the responsibility of remodeling the original 53rd Street location.
Hard to believe, but that was 18 years ago this fall.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Yes, I would consider myself a risk-taker—though I often joke that I prefer a conservative approach. But when I reflect on the past 18 years with South Lyndale Liquors & Market, it’s clear that nearly every major decision has been a calculated risk. Whether in business or my personal life, taking strategic chances has been central to my growth.
I’ve come to embrace the excitement that comes with risk—the uncertainty, the challenge, and especially the reward when it pays off. To me, risk and growth go hand in hand. Without stepping into the unknown, there’s no real opportunity for transformation—personally or professionally.
We could have stayed in our original location, doing what we’d always done and doing it well. That would’ve been the safe path. But I had a vision: to create something bigger, something exceptional—a place with an unmatched selection of wine, beer, and spirits, alongside a market, cheese shop, deli, and wine bar.
That vision, fueled by risk, turned us into the largest independent wine, beer, and spirits retailer in the state. And I believe it’s that willingness to bet on bold ideas—and back them up with hard work—that continues to drive our success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.southlyndale.com
- Instagram: southlyndaleliquors
- Facebook: South Lyndale Liquors & Market
- Twitter: southlyndale
- Youtube: South Lyndale Liquors & Market
- Yelp: South Lyndale Liquors & Market and South Lyndale Wine Bar & Deli
