Kalamazoo-based Imperial Beverage Company acquires Carmela Wine Division, strengthening Michigan selection and service

May 22, 2025

Acquisition expands distributor’s portfolio, reinforces industry-wide commitment to choice, competition, job creation

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Imperial Beverage Company, a family-owned, statewide beer and wine distributor, is proud to announce the purchase of Carmela Wine Division, effective Monday, June 2. The acquisition expands the distributor’s portfolio by more than 1,500 products, increasing its selection of fine wines, craft beer and non-alcoholic options for customers across Michigan.

 

“We admire the years of dedication that Carmela Wine Division has committed to the beverage industry,” said Larry Cekola, sales strategy director at Imperial Beverage Company. “We’re honored to welcome their team to Imperial and we’re excited to move forward together as we continue to provide choice, expertise and quality brands to consumers across Michigan.”

 

Carmela’s Food Division, also based in Michigan, will remain a separate, stand-alone entity, while the wine team will join Imperial Beverage Company to form a dedicated division that will grow the Carmela portfolio across Michigan.

 

“We’ve poured a lot of heart into this wine business over the last decade,” said Tony Tocco, president and founder of Carmela Foods. “It has been an incredible journey, and we’re proud of what we’ve built. I’m excited to see this next chapter unfold under the Cekola family’s leadership at Imperial Beverage. They’re a world-class organization that shares our commitment to excellence and customer service. While it’s bittersweet to say goodbye, I know the future is bright for the team, brands and customers who have supported us along the way.”

 

Carmela’s delivery schedules will be integrated into Imperial’s existing statewide routes. All changes will be communicated directly to Carmela customers in advance of the go-live date on June 2 to ensure a smooth experience.

 

“At Imperial, our vision is to help people succeed, and we’re driven by a purpose of delivering exceptional experiences,” Cekola said. “This acquisition reinforces our commitment to building a winning team that’s energized for the future and passionate about keeping our customers’ glasses full.”

 

Imperial Beverage is a long-standing member of the Michigan beverage distribution community. Established in 1933 after the repeal of prohibition and purchased by Kalamazoo’s Cekola family in 1984, Imperial has grown from a one-county beer distributor to a top 10 statewide beer, wine and spirits wholesaler. With 350 employees and four locations in Kalamazoo, Livonia, Traverse City and Ishpeming, Imperial provides statewide coverage that serves every Michigan county, every week, all year long.

 

Imperial Beverage Company is among a thriving network of independent beer and wine distributors in Michigan that play a vital role in supporting choice and competition in the marketplace. Working with more than 2,000 alcohol producers — more than 800 of them based in Michigan — distributors ensure that retailers and consumers across the state have access to a wide range of products.

 

Because of beer and wine distributors’ efforts, Michiganders have access to more than 42,000 beers, 1,400 mixed spirit drinks and a selection of over 253,000 wines.

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.