> Most of the operating profit back then came from alcohol sales and that's a totally different business.

I think this is typical of a lot of similar-ish businesses. Restaurants, bowling alleys, movie theaters, all run on high margin alcohol (or concessions) and make very little profit on the primary business.

yeah, even gas stations mostly make their money off of other stuff. if anything it's a little weird for a business to make their money off their primary business model.