OUR HISTORY

1933
1933

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

1984
1984

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

A collage featuring two polaroid photos. One is a photo of a vintage Imperial Beverage display. The other features 5 men in suits. Both are in black and white.

1994
1994

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

A collage featuring one vintage photo of the Cekola family as well as a cut-out of Joe Cekola and Larry Cekola gesturing to the right.

1995
1995

Imperial moves to a new facility on Manchester Road in Kalamazoo

2000
2000

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

2005
2005

Imperial acquires Craft Distributing

2009
2009

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

2010
2010

Imperial is awarded Craft Beer Distributor of the Year by the Brewer’s Association.

2012
2012

Imperial moves their Kalamazoo warehouse to a new facility on Emerald Drive. The main 276,000 square foot location with an additional 200,000 square feet available ensures room for growth for years to come.

A collage featuring a newspaper with the headline "Imperial Beverage to move, expand." A photo of the Imperial Beverage Kalamazoo Warehouse is layered on top of it.

2015
2015

Imperial relocates our Southeast facility from Plymouth to a 25,000 square foot warehouse and office building in Livonia.

2017
2017

Imperial obtains an ADA certification and begins distributing spirits statewide

2018
2018

Imperial purchases Bayside Beverage in Ishpeming, adding an 18,000 square foot warehouse in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

2023
2023

Imperial builds a new 10,000 square foot warehouse and office facility in Traverse City.

A collage featuring a photo of the Imperial Beverage Livonia Warehouse and the Cekolas cutting a large red ribbon.