OUR HISTORY

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

1994

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

1995

Imperial moves to a new facility on Manchester Road in Kalamazoo

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)

2010

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

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.

2015

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

2017

Imperial obtains an ADA certification and begins distributing spirits statewide

2018

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

2023

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