Reyes Beverage Group has acquired a Tampa distribution facility for approximately $29.7 million as part of its takeover of Republic National Distributing Company’s Florida operations.
Property records show RNDC transferred the 349,299-square-foot warehouse at 4901 Savarese Circle to Lone Oak-Tampa LLC, a Reyes Holdings-affiliated company, on May 29, the same day RNDC announced the closing of the multistate transaction.
The facility, in Tampa West Industrial Park near Dale Mabry Highway and Waters Avenue, sits on roughly 13 acres and serves as a major alcohol-distribution hub for the Tampa market.
The acquisition places one of the Tampa area’s largest alcohol-distribution facilities under new ownership in an industry that plays a central role in how liquor, wine and beer reach restaurants, bars and retailers.
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Florida generally requires alcohol producers to sell through licensed distributors before products reach the market, giving distributors significant influence over which brands gain access to retailers and restaurant menus.
“If no distributor will pick up their line and sell their stuff, they cannot sell to anybody in Tampa,” said Chris McVety, managing partner of Jackson’s Bistro on Harbour Island.
McVety said distributor relationships can be especially important for smaller brands entering new markets because distributors largely determine which products receive sales support and reach retailers.
“It’s a chicken-and-egg. Once your sales increase elsewhere in the United States, then come back to us. Well, if no distributor will take their product because they’re new to the market, how are they supposed to have sales?”
RNDC said the transaction transferred operations in Florida, Texas, Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia, Arizona and Washington, D.C., to Reyes.
“Today marks an important milestone for everyone involved,” RNDC Chief Executive Officer Marc Sachs said in a statement announcing the closing.
County records show RNDC acquired the property in 2007 for $16.1 million and later expanded warehouse and distribution operations at the site.
Reyes Holdings is one of the largest privately held companies in the United States and operates beverage and food distribution businesses through subsidiaries including Reyes Beverage Group, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling and Martin Brower.
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