YPSILANTI, Michigan – What started as a pub in downtown Ann Arbor in the early 1900s is now a successful family-owned, fifth-generation beer distributor employing over 180 people in southeast Michigan. Celebrating their 90th year in business, O&W Inc. continues to build on its legacy of community involvement and social responsibility, while keeping customers and employees at the forefront of all they do.
Southeast Michigan beer distributor proud to celebrate 90 years in business, fifth-generation ownership
May 30, 2023
Success of family-run business grounded in relentless focus on customers, community and employees
“We’re excited to celebrate our 90th year in business serving seven counties across southeast Michigan as a fifth-generation, family-run business,” said Kit Wanty-Lambert, president of O&W Inc. “Our family remains committed to delivering the best products and services to our customers while enriching the communities where we live and work for generations to come.”
The company was born from humble beginnings, first opening in 1917 as the Union Bar in Ann Arbor. The Union Bar (now known as Old Town Tavern) became James O’Kane Distributing — the ‘O’ in O&W — after prohibition ended in 1933. Twenty years later, Hugh Wanty and James O’Kane teamed up to create O&W Inc., and the business steadily flourished.
Over the years, the company acquired small distributors to gradually expand its service-area footprint to seven counties including Washtenaw, Livingston, Jackson, Hillsdale, Lenawee, Monroe and Wayne counties. In 2003, the company’s present-day warehouse was built in Ypsilanti as a more central location to its service area, and deliveries increased to a record-breaking 5 million cases in 2019.
The key to the company’s success has been its focus on employees, customers, the community and environmentally sustainable practices.
“We are an employee-first company, and we work hard to create a work environment that is both exciting and rewarding,” said Isabel Wanty, vice president of operations at O&W. “That employee-first philosophy extends to the communities we proudly serve, and we’ve made it part of our mission to give back by supporting local businesses and charities.”
O&W also puts a high priority on environmental business practices. Bio-diesel fuel powers the company’s fleet of 31 semi-trucks, and glass and aluminum cans are collected from retailers and processed for recycling. Large fans in the warehouse circulate air to reduce heating and cooling costs while LED-censored lighting and EcoTek cooler controls maximize electricity usage and efficiency.
With the fifth generation at the helm of the O&W Inc. leadership team including Kit Wanty-Lambert, president; Jamie Wanty, vice president of marketing; Cooper Wanty, vice president of finance and Isabel Wanty, vice president of operations, this family-run business is poised to serve future generations of small businesses and consumers looking for a variety of beer options to meet every consumer’s needs.
On June 23, National Family-Owned and Operated Businesses Day offers an opportunity to recognize the local companies that form the backbone of Michigan’s economy. Among them are the state’s beer and wine distributors—independent, family-owned businesses that have been serving their communities for decades. These are multigenerational operations rooted in Michigan communities, where leadership is often passed from one generation to the next. Their longevity reflects not only business success, but a deep commitment to the people and places they serve. When I began my work with the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association two decades ago, the industry looked very different. Today, Michigan consumers enjoy an unprecedented variety of choices, supported by advanced logistics, compliance systems, and strong retail partnerships. That evolution has been driven in large part by family-owned distributors who continue to invest in their people, infrastructure and communities. Their local ownership gives them a unique understanding of the retailers and consumers they serve. It also means decisions are made with a long-term perspective—focused not just on growth, but on sustainability and community impact. Thoughtful alcohol policy helps ensure a fair and competitive marketplace, protects public health and safety, and allows businesses of all sizes to thrive. By maintaining strong relationships with lawmakers and industry partners, Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have helped modernize laws while preserving the structure and accountability of the proven three-tier system. As we recognize family-owned businesses across the state this June, it is worth celebrating the role Michigan’s beer and wine distributors have played for decades and will continue to play in the years ahead. Their strength lies not only in their ability to adapt, but in the values that have guided them from the beginning: local ownership, strong relationships, and a commitment to doing business the right way. Spencer Nevins is president of the Michigan Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association in Lansing.
OWOSSO, Mich. – Main Beverage Company marks 65 years in business this year, celebrating three generations of family leadership and a legacy rooted in mid-Michigan.
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).