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Central Distributors
Central Distributors location on Foss Road in Lewiston features a 90,000 square foot warehouse.
With over 75 years of experience, Central Distributors in Lewiston is one of the oldest beer and wine distributors not only in Maine, but in the entire country. Following Prohibition, Albert J. Barriault founded the family business in September of 1934. Since then, the business has remained in the family, owned by three generations of the Barriault family and today employs more than 100 people. Before founding Central Distributors, Albert Barriault gained an appreciation for the distribution business working for a local truck dealer and sold many trucks to Eastern Distributors in Lewiston. After leaving the truck sales business, he advanced his career and went on to manage one of the several branches of Eastern Distributors. In 1933, when the 18th Amendment was repealed ending Prohibition, more beer brands started coming to Maine and Albert saw an opportunity not only for him, but the entire Barriault family. In 1934, Albert opened the doors to Central Distributors on Oxford Street in Lewiston. The business started with a small workforce of seven employees (including himself). Albert's son, Fern J. Barriault, began working for his dad as a hard-working 15 year old boy, responsible for sorting bottles and loading trucks. Years later, he joined his father in the business full-time in 1946 after completing his service in the Navy. Fern worked as a truck driver, salesman and ultimately a sales manager. When Albert passed away in 1954, Fern carried on the family tradition and accepted his father's position as President. During the 1950s with an increase in demand for their products, Fern led the way for Central to expand and relocate to Commercial Street in 1957. Following in the footsteps of their father, Fern's sons Ronald and Dennis began working for the company in the early 1970s. Since then, Ron has helped grow the wine business to over 2,000 skus, while Dennis has helped to grow the beer side of the business and added an expansive non-alcoholic portfolio. In 2006, Fern Barriault celebrated his 80th birthday and even though he has retired, he still participates in company management and major company decisions. The staff at Central Distributors also shares the same loyalty that Fern has demonstrated as part of a family owned business. Today six members of the Barriault family continue the family legacy by working for the company. The passion and dedication from the family has been infectious for other employees as well. Office employees Sue Sirios and Barbara Moad, along with warehouse manager Louis Bilodeau, have worked at Central Distributors for over 25 years. Another constant for Central Distributors has been their focus on variety and choice for their customers. Dating back to the 1940s, the company became known for their supply of popular beers that included Pickwick, Haffenreffer, Schmidts, and Pabst. In the 60s and 70s Schlitz became an iconic brand that helped established relationships with business owners from around the state that are still serviced by the Lewiston company. Central Distributors started selling wine brands in the early 70s and later became a Coors distributor in the 1980s. In addition to Coors, Central Distributors has more than 50 beer brands including Heineken, Pabst, Corona and Dogfish Head. The variety of wine has also increased to over 700 brands, including Beringer, Franzia, Gnarly Head, Mezzacorona and Woodbridge. In addition to the distribution of national brands of beer and wine, the company plays a key role in the distribution of Maine made products from Atlantic Brewing Company in Bar Harbor, Belfast Bay Brewing Company and Poland Spring. Due to their success and increasing variety of products, the location for Central Distributors warehouse has changed three different times. Their current location on Foss Road in Lewiston is a 90,000 square foot warehouse with refrigerated storage. The site also has bottle picking flow racking and a conveyor system with eight loading docks for shipping and receiving. Central Distributors uses over 20 delivery trucks, with in-house fleet maintenance. The site also has 4,000 square foot office area that includes a new conference area and tasting room that was added in 2008. Despite numerous renovations and growth, the core values and mission for Central Distributors has always remained the same. Part of the company mission has always been to give back to the community. An indication of Central Distributors strong commitment to the Lewiston/Auburn area includes support for local community organizations including United Way of Androscoggin County, the Boys and Girls Club of Lewiston/Auburn, Project Graduation, Riding to the Top, Camp Susan Curtis, Angel Flight New England and their most recent sponsorship of L/A Arts, Gallery 5. On average, each year the company donates more than $25,000 to local organizations and non-profit groups. Contact: |
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