Great Lakes Wine & Spirits reinvests in local communities, champions philanthropy

June 20, 2024

Wholesale alcohol distributor committed to community involvement, enhancing the places they serve

HIGHLAND PARK, Mich. – Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, a leading family-owned and operated wholesale alcohol distributor for nearly 80 years, is proud of its top talent and commitment to reinvesting in its local communities through outreach and charitable donations.

 

With over 1,200 employees and distributing over 12 million cases of 13,000 wines and spirits to 17,000 retail licensees, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits’ portfolio represents approximately 60% of the wine and 50% of the spirits sold in the State of Michigan. Owners Sydney Ross and J. Lewis Cooper III collectively bring over 100 years of sales and distribution experience in the alcohol business.

 

The Garden Party, a cherished Great Lakes Wine & Spirits tradition, stands as one of their largest annual fundraisers. This event brings together the distributor’s suppliers and some of the finest restaurants in metro Detroit, with all proceeds supporting local trade schools and fostering the education and development of the future workforce.

 

“From cold winter days to warm summer months, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits remains actively involved in giving back to enhance the communities in which we are so proud to live, work and serve,” Ross said. “For nearly 80 years, the essence of our success has been family, which includes our business neighbors and partners. We look forward to many more years of expanding our philanthropic footprint in our local communities and inspiring others to do the same.”

 

Ross is a driving force behind the wholesale alcohol distributor’s dedication to fostering strong, community-focused partnerships. For 35 years, Ross has been an active member of the Parade Company Board of Directors, playing a crucial role in beloved local events such as the Ford Fireworks on the Fourth of July and America’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in downtown Detroit.

 

Great Lakes Wine & Spirits, headquartered in Highland Park, Michigan, has further demonstrated its commitment to the community by supporting local police and fire departments. The company recently provided a new patrol car for the police department and supplied dress uniforms for the fire department.

 

Community involvement is driven by a dedicated workforce and state-of-the-art resources to manage and grow the business. As a family-owned company, Great Lakes Wine & Spirits competes with large publicly held companies for employees and resources. The Qualified Business Income Tax Deduction (199A) helps level the playing field with these larger competitors. This deduction, established by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act Provision 11011 in 2017, is set to expire in 2025.

 

Great Lakes Wine & Spirits is Michigan’s largest wine and spirits distributor, serving all 83 counties with an extensive portfolio of renowned and innovative brands. The distributor is ‘local everywhere,’ dedicated to providing exceptional service, fostering community growth and maintaining a family-oriented culture.



Ypsilanti beer distributor partners on limited-edition release for Ann Arbor Summer Festival

By Rebecca Stow • April 14, 2026
YPSILANTI, Mich. – Local, family-owned beer distributor O&W Inc. in Ypsilanti is celebrating its collaboration with Michigan-based Griffin Claw Brewing Company to develop a limited-edition Session IPA for the upcoming Ann Arbor Summer Festival (A2SF).

Detroit News: Rooted in Community, Driven to Lead: Women in Michigan’s Beer and Wine Distribution Industry

By Rebecca Stow • March 17, 2026
Across Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry, women are helping shape the future of our businesses and the communities we serve. As president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing in Grand Blanc Township and the third woman to chair the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association (MB&WWA) Board of Directors, I’m proud to be part of a growing group of women leading with purpose and perspective. This year is especially meaningful for our company as we celebrate 50 years in business. Reaching that milestone is a reminder that strong local businesses are built over time through dedication, adaptability and the people who make long-term success possible—including the growing number of women shaping the future of the industry. Our work as beer and wine distributors is about far more than logistics. It’s about building resilient businesses that support jobs, give back locally and help maintain a fair and competitive marketplace. From sales and operations to finance, marketing and delivery, women are making meaningful contributions at every level of our industry. Distributors are proud to be local businesses with deep roots. We live and work in the communities we serve, and we embrace opportunities to give back—whether supporting neighborhood events, partnering with charitable organizations or helping local retailers succeed. That spirit of service is integral to our businesses and something we strive to carry forward. Beer and wine distributors also play a critical role in Michigan’s three-tier system, moving products safely and efficiently from supplier to shelf. This system supports competition and gives consumers access to an extraordinary variety of high-quality choices, from Michigan-made craft beverages to well-known national brands. As we celebrate Women’s History Month in March, I’m honored to recognize the many women who help drive Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry forward. The continued success of this industry reflects the collaboration and determination of the people behind it—and women are playing an essential role in shaping what comes next. Joanie O’Sullivan-Butler is president and CEO of John P. O’Sullivan Distributing Inc. in Grand Blanc Township. She is also chair of the MB&WWA Board of Directors and sits on the MB&WWA Women’s Advocacy Committee.

Detroit News: This industry thrives because of the people who power it

By Rebecca Stow • December 30, 2025
As we close out the year, I’ve found myself reflecting on the milestones our industry has achieved and the people who made them possible. The skilled professionals who work in Michigan’s beer and wine distribution industry often start with a job that evolves into a long, fulfilling career with family-owned businesses deeply rooted in the communities they serve. Throughout 2025, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association was proud to share the stories of over 100 individuals from across our industry, including women leaders, logistics professionals, truck drivers, veterans, salespeople, and more. We posed a simple question: What do you love most about working in beer and wine distribution? Across each campaign, a clear theme emerged among the answers: the people. Michigan’s independent beer and wine distributors support more than 6,400 jobs statewide, and each one involves building relationships. Whether helping a new restaurant choose the perfect draft lineup or wine list, sharing knowledge about new products and trends, making a delivery, or supporting a team member through their first big sale, these individuals take pride in working together to help their business partners and communities thrive. They know that success in the beer and wine industry isn’t just about what’s in the bottle—it’s about the people behind it. Throughout the holiday season and beyond, beer and wine distributors bring commitment and expertise to every aspect of this fast-paced, constantly evolving industry. They help consumers access a wide variety of quality products that are often shared during life’s big and small celebrations, bringing people together through shared experiences and traditions. The camaraderie in this industry sets it apart, creating meaningful work built on collaboration, trust, and shared success. Michigan’s beer and wine distributors are always seeking talented individuals to join their teams. From marketing, finance, and sales to warehouse operations, truck driving, or other essential roles, there are many rewarding career paths to explore. We encourage anyone interested in a dynamic, people-focused industry to reach out to their local distributors and learn more about available opportunities. As we look ahead to a new year, the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association remains committed to elevating and amplifying the remarkable work our distributors do. Their dedication turns everyday work into community impact and makes this industry truly exceptional. Spencer Nevins is the president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.