Nappi Distributors, a member of the Maine Beer and Wine Distributors Association

Pictured (left to right): Frank Nappi Jr. President, Mike Nappi Maintenance, Frank Nappi Chairman, and Nick Nappi, VP of operations helped break ground on Nappi's current 155,000 square foot warehouse.

While Nappi Distributors current warehouse was built in 2008 using state of the art technology and equipment, it has been old-fashioned hard work and dedicated employees that have made the company one of Maine’s largest beer and wine distributors.

Dating back to the end of Prohibition, the Nappi family has enjoyed success in the state’s beverage industry. Starting in 1933, Giovanni (John) Nappi established National Distributors and became one of the first companies to distribute beer and wine products throughout the state of Maine. He hired dedicated employees, including several of his 15 children, to start what quickly turned into a profitable family-operated business. Over 25 years later, he decided to sell National Distributors to the late Frank Gaziano.

In 1959, three of John’s sons, Frank Sr., Nick and Sam decided to keep the family tradition of working in the beverage business alive. All three brothers, who had learned the ropes working for their father, joined together to form Nappi Distributors on Presumpscot Street in Portland. As a third-generation, Maine family-owned and operated beer and wine distributor, the company has grown substantially over the years to more efficiently serve their customers around Maine.

The first big business move for the company came in 1979 when Nappi Distributors purchased the York Bottling Company. This doubled the company’s territory and sales.

By the early 1980's, two more Nappi brothers, Sabatino and Michael, joined the family business and the company made investments in more modern equipment and technology. Nappi Distributors was the first distributor in the state of Maine to build a climate-controlled warehouse for its beer and wine products. Investments in technology and their employees has been a staple for Nappi Distributors, allowing the company to secure additional accounts and grow its coverage area.

The mid 1980s were very important in the growth of Nappi Distributors. The company purchased Dirigo Distributors and added the Pabst, Becks, Guinness and Bass beer brands. During the same time period, Nappi Distributors established its fine wine products division — Nappi’s wine division expanded with additional labels including Paul Masson and Blue Nun.

In 2002, Nappi purchased Cumberland and York Distributors and gained popular brands such as Coors Light, Old Milwaukee, and Schlitz. With the consolidation of the two companies into one major wholesaler, Nappi Distributors created one of the largest beer and wine distributors in the state of Maine. While the size of the company has grown, they have remained dedicated to the local Maine products, selling Shipyard, Geary’s, Allagash, Bar Harbor, Sebago, Casco Bay, Kennebec River and Peak Organic.

In 2008, Nappi Distributors relocated from Portland to its current $8 million facility on Main Street in Gorham. The state-of-the-art, 155,000 sq. ft. climate controlled distribution warehouse includes a wine mezzanine picking system, truck drive-thru area for loading, fleet dock areas and a dunnage area for returns. The distributor is the first major warehouse and transportation-oriented business to locate and operate within the Gorham transportation corridor. The new facility also uses less electricity than their older location that was 25,000 sq. ft. smaller. Nappi Distributors is the third largest private employer in Gorham and the town’s fifth largest taxpayer.

Today, Nappi Distributors has become one of Maine’s largest beer and wine wholesalers covering Cumberland & York counties with the hard work of over 180 employees, including more than 11 family members. Frank Nappi is Chairman, Sabatino Nappi is Executive VP, Frank Nappi Jr. is now the President and Nick Nappi is VP of Operations.

Employees are a big part of the Nappi Distributors story of success. The company has nine people with more than 30 years of experience, including Tim Coffee (31 years) and Elmer Alcott, CFO (33 years). In addition, the business employs 20 individuals that have worked at Nappi Distributors for over 20 years.

"Working for Nappi Distributors is like being involved with family, everyone gets along in a low pressure environment," says Elmer Alcott, Nappi Distributors CFO.

Nappi offers prominent beer brands such as Miller and Coors, many fine imported beers and Maine based micro-brews. Nappi’s wine division provides more selection than any other Maine distributor with labels that include Banfi, Kendall Jackson and Vineyard brands.

Over the last 50 years, Nappi’s growth has been fueled by consolidations with Maine industry distribution leaders and continual facility modernizations. As business continues to grow, Nappi Distributors has plans for two more 30,000 ft. expansions.

Giving back to the community has always been a priority at Nappi Distributors. The company proudly sponsors the Portland Sea Dogs, AA Minor League Baseball team, SACAA college baseball at Old Orchard Beach Ball Park, the Cumberland County Civic Center and is a Platinum sponsor for Gorham High School's Project Graduation.

In the coming months, Nappi Distributors will continue their fundraising efforts with the Kennebunkport Fine Living Festival, the Harvest on the Harbor, the Good Shepherd Awards Banquet, the Boys and Girls Club Auction and the WinterKids program.

The company's largest annual fundraiser is The Stefano Nappi Memorial Golf Tournament to support the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center. The popular annual event has raised over $150,000.