Imperial Beverage is a long-standing member of the Michigan beverage distribution community. Established in 1933 after the repeal of prohibition and purchased by Kalamazoo’s Cekola family in 1984, Imperial has grown from a one county beer distributor to a top 10 statewide beer, wine & spirits wholesaler. With 350 employees and 4 locations in Kalamazoo, Livonia, Traverse City and Ishpeming, Imperial provides statewide coverage that serves every Michigan County, every week, all year long.

Our knowledgeable staff works with our customers to fulfill our passion statement “Helping People Succeed,” by building profit and identity in their restaurants and retail locations through the selection of fine wines, craft beers, ciders, spirits, sodas and mixers from our diverse portfolio.

Imperial Beverage is a long-standing member of the Michigan beverage distribution community. Established in 1933 after the repeal of prohibition and purchased by Kalamazoo’s Cekola family in 1984, Imperial has grown from a one county beer distributor to a top 10 statewide beer, wine & spirits wholesaler. With 350 employees and 4 locations in Kalamazoo, Livonia, Traverse City and Ishpeming, Imperial provides statewide coverage that serves every Michigan County, every week, all year long.

Our knowledgeable staff works with our customers to fulfill our passion statement “Helping People Succeed,” by building profit and identity in their restaurants and retail locations through the selection of fine wines, craft beers, ciders, spirits, sodas and mixers from our diverse portfolio.

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Imperial Beverage is a long-standing member of the Michigan beverage distribution community. Established in 1933 after the repeal of prohibition and purchased by Kalamazoo’s Cekola family in 1984, Imperial has grown from a one county beer distributor to a top 10 statewide beer, wine & spirits wholesaler. With 350 employees and 4 locations in Kalamazoo, Livonia, Traverse City and Ishpeming, Imperial provides statewide coverage that serves every Michigan County, every week, all year long.

 

Our knowledgeable staff works with our customers to fulfill our passion statement “Helping People Succeed,” by identifying and building profit centers in their restaurants and retail locations through the selection of fine wines, craft beers, ciders, spirits, sodas and mixers from our diverse portfolio.

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Family Owned & Operated

Purchased by Joseph A. Cekola (Big Joe) in 1984 and taken over by his son, Joe, in 1994, Imperial Beverage has been family owned and operated for over 30 years.

IB-About-Family-1

Family Owned & Operated

Purchased by Joseph A. Cekola (Big Joe) in 1984 and taken over by his son, Joe, in 1994, Imperial Beverage has been family owned and operated for over 30 years.

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MICHIGAN'S ONLY STATEWIDE

BEER, WINE, SPIRITS, & NON-ALCOHOLIC DISTRIBUTOR

Imperial Covers Every County, Every Week, All Year Long!

IB-About-Yearround
MICHIGAN’S ONLY STATEWIDE BEER, WINE, SPIRITS, AND NON-ALCOHOLIC DISTRIBUTOR

Imperial Covers Every County, Every Week, All Year Long!

DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE

Our Proven Process is how we go to market and work with our customers. We follow it each and every time we open a new account and throughout our relationship with them.

DEDICATION TO CUSTOMER SERVICE

Our Proven Process is how we go to market and work with our customers. We follow it each and every time we open a new account and throughout our relationship with them.

KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE

Our sales staff, drivers, warehouse associates, and office staff are highly trained and certified. We are proud to boast one of the most educated staff in the industry and are continually expanding our skills.

KNOWLEDGEABLE PEOPLE

Our sales staff, drivers, warehouse associates, and office staff are highly trained and certified. We are proud to boast one of the most educated staff in the industry and are continually expanding our skills.

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Staff with Wine Certifications
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Staff with Beer Certifications
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Forklift Certified Staff
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Commercial Licensed Drivers
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Staff with Wine Certifications
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Staff with Beer Certifications
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Forklift Certified Staff
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Commercial Licensed Drivers

DIVERSE PORTFOLIO

Our Portfolio of over 6,000 SKUs offers something for every customer. We work with our customers to produce the right product mix for their business, with tailored portfolio evaluations to identify and establish profit centers within their business and suggestions that are always prepared with integrity.

DIVERSE PORTFOLIO

Our Portfolio of over 6,000 SKUs offers something for every customer. We work with our customers to produce the right product mix for their business, with tailored portfolio evaluations to identify and establish profit centers within their business and suggestions that are always prepared with integrity.

1933

Established by Walter S. Berry at the end of prohibition, later led by Jack & Bud Berry

1984

Purchased by Joseph A. Cekola (Big Joe) from Scope Investment Company, once owned by William John Upjohn

1933

Established by Walter S. Berry at the end of prohibition, later led by Jack & Bud Berry

1994

Joe Cekola, son of Big Joe, takes the reins of the growing company

2000

Elite Brands of Michigan becomes part of the business with Bradford & Gerry Hammerschmidt, expanding the delivery area to statewide

2009

Further acquisitions grow our portfolio (Estate Wine & Spirits, Leone Imports, South End Beverage)

2015

Imperial relocates our Southeast facility from Plymouth to Livonia and opens a new cross-docking facility in Traverse City

2018

Imperial acquires an Ishpeming facility in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

1984

Purchased by Joseph A. Cekola (Big Joe) from Scope Investment Company, once owned by William John Upjohn

1995

Imperial moves to a new facility on Manchester Road

2005

Imperial acquires Craft Distributing

2012

Imperial moves to a new facility on Emerald Drive, ensuring growth for years to come

2017

Imperial obtains an ADA certification and begins distributing spirits statewide

2023

Imperial builds warehouse and office facility in Traverse City

1994

Joe Cekola, son of Big Joe, takes the reins of the growing company

1995

Imperial moves to a new facility on Manchester Road

2000

Elite Brands of Michigan becomes part of the business with Bradford & Gerry Hammerschmidt, expanding the delivery area to statewide

2005

Imperial acquires Craft Distributing

2009

Further acquisitions grow our portfolio (Estate Wine & Spirits, Leone Imports, South End Beverage)

2012

Imperial moves to a new facility on Emerald Drive, ensuring growth for years to come

2015

Imperial relocates our Southeast facility from Plymouth to Livonia and opens a new cross-docking facility in Traverse City

2017

Imperial obtains an ADA certification and begins distributing spirits statewide

2018

Imperial acquires an Ishpeming facility in Michigan's Upper Peninsula

2023

Imperial builds warehouse and office facility in Traverse City

GIVING BACK

The Joseph A. Cekola Memorial Fund

Joseph A. Cekola’s (Big Joe’s) eldest son Nick was developmentally disabled, and was his closest confidant and friend. Big Joe valued the family unit, and worked tirelessly to keep his family intact, despite doctors’ recommendations to institutionalize Nick.

This unwavering support of family and others’ circumstances (especially those in similar family situations) lead to the Cekola children establishing a fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation in their father’s name. The Joseph A. Cekola Memorial Fund offers support to families of the developmentally disabled, and is just one way that the people behind Imperial work to support our communities.

Imperial Beverage employees are encouraged to participate in activities they believe will improve
the quality of life in their communities. Every employee is allowed one paid day each year to
volunteer at the charity or organization of their choice. Group volunteering events are also organized beyond scheduled work hours to encourage giving as a team.

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Staff Volunteer Hours in 2023

GIVING BACK

The Joseph A. Cekola Memorial Fund

Joseph A. Cekola’s (Big Joe’s) eldest son Nick is developmentally disabled, and was his closest confidant and friend. Big Joe valued the family unit, and worked tirelessly to keep his family intact, despite doctors’ recommendations to institutionalize Nick.

This unwavering support of family and others’ circumstances (especially those in similar family situations) lead to the Cekola children establishing a fund at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation in their father’s name. The Joseph A. Cekola Memorial Fund offers support to families of the developmentally disabled, and is just one way that the people behind Imperial work to support our communities.

Imperial Beverage employees are encouraged to participate in activities they believe will improve
the quality of life in their communities. Every employee is allowed one paid day each year to
volunteer at the charity or organization of their choice. Group volunteering events are also organized beyond scheduled work hours to encourage giving as a team.

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Staff Volunteer Hours so far in 2023
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Staff Volunteer Hours in 2022

PRESS

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Awards

West Michigan’s Best & Brightest
Companies To Work For

• 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022, 2023 •

Metro Detroit’s Best & Brightest
Companies To Work For

• 2018, 2019, 2020, 2022 •

Southwest Michigan’s Wonderful Workplaces 2020

American Cider Association Cider Excellence Award
Best Distributor: Midwest 2020

Los Cinco Fantasticos: Top 5 USA Distributor of Finca Decero 2018

Merchant du Vin Distributor of the Year

• 2015 & 2016 •

Wente Distributor of the Year 2002

Wente Legacy Award, Tier 2 2012

Wente Legacy Award, Tier 1

• 2016, 2017, 2021 •

Craft Beer Distributor of the Year 2010

Tasters Guild Associate of the Year 2012