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