Upper Peninsula’s Pike Distributors celebrates job growth, innovation

February 3, 2025

Third generation-owned beer distributor’s new facility supports job creation, economic 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.

 

“We are proud of our company’s rich history, which began in 1937 when our grandfather, Stan Ketvirtis, was selling beer out of a pick-up truck,” said Jack Ketvirtis, president of Pike Distributors. “Since 2018, we have grown from about 45 employees to over 110 and operate a fleet of 45 semi-trucks across the United States. This success is built on the strength of our partnerships with suppliers and wholesalers in Wisconsin and northern Michigan and the dedication of our hardworking team.”

 

Pike’s growth has allowed it to expand its operations and invest in advanced infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art warehouse in Gladstone completed in 2023. The new facility enhances the company’s ability to efficiently serve its extensive footprint, which includes Marquette, Delta, Alger, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Luce and Chippewa counties. Pike also operates warehouses in Marquette and Newberry.

 

“Our new beer distribution center in Gladstone represents a major milestone,” said Sarah Ketvirtis, vice president of Pike Distributors. “It reflects our commitment to innovation and exceptional service while enabling us to attract and retain top talent with competitive wages and superior benefits. Our team is the heart of what we do, and we couldn’t achieve this success without them.”

 

As Pike Distributors looks to the future, its focus remains on fostering growth, investing in its team, strengthening valued partnerships and a continued commitment to enhancing the communities where they live, work and serve.

 

About Pike Distributors Inc.

Founded in 1937, Pike Distributors is a family-owned beer distributor in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. Under the leadership of third-generation owners Jack and Sarah Ketvirtis, the company has grown to employ over 110 people and operates a fleet of 45 semi-trucks nationwide. Pike serves Marquette, Delta, Alger, Mackinac, Schoolcraft, Luce and Chippewa counties and expanded its operations in 2023 by opening a state-of-the-art distribution center in Gladstone to help serve its entire footprint.

 

This Google Drive folder contains more photos and aerial drone footage of Pike Distributors’ warehouse in Gladstone, built in 2023.



Detroit News: Celebrating Michigan’s Family-Owned Beer and Wine Distributors

By Rebecca Stow • June 23, 2026
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.

Mid-Michigan beer distributor celebrates 65 years in business, three generations of family leadership

By Rebecca Stow • May 4, 2026
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 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).