May is Small Business Month—a time to recognize the hardworking people who power our economy and invest in our communities. Among them are Michigan’s independent beer and wine distributors: local businesses that make it possible for your favorite beverages to reach your neighborhood stores, restaurants and bars.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) is commending Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Michigan Liquor Control Commission (MLCC) for their continued efforts to hold out-of-state companies accountable for illegally shipping alcohol into the state.

ANN ARBOR, Mich. – Rave Associates, a family-owned beer and wine distributor serving southeast Michigan since 1974, is marking Women’s History Month by celebrating the talented and dedicated women helping to fuel its continued success and growth.

NEGAUNEE, Mich. – Pike Distributors, a family-owned beer distributor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula since 1937, is celebrating significant milestones under the leadership of third-generation owners Jack and Sarah Ketvirtis.

WIXOM, Mich. – This holiday season, East Michigan-based wine distributor Eagle Eye Brands is celebrating its dedication to offering unique, high-quality wines while supporting its local communities.

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, a leading family-owned and operated wholesale alcohol distributor for nearly 80 years, is proud to partner with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation for a company-wide giving campaign. Starting on Giving Tuesday, Dec. 3, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits will match all employee donations through Dec. 25.

When Michigan voters approved a statewide bottle return system in 1976, the program was built on a partnership between consumers, the State of Michigan and businesses accepting returns. The vision was clear: keep our streets, parks, beaches and waterways clean while conserving valuable resources through a 10-cent deposit system. Michigan's beer and soft drink distributors have been central to this effort, but the state’s reinvestment in and commitment to the program has waned over the years.

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – As Giving Tuesday approaches on Dec. 3, beer and wine distributors across the state, including those in East Michigan, are participating in the global generosity movement that inspires people and organizations to transform their communities.