While our company has grown our vision has stayed the same; to be South Carolina’s “Preferred Choice” beer distributor in the eyes of our employees, customers, suppliers, and surrounding communities.
Mr. and Mrs. Chris J. Yahnis founded The Yahnis Company, Inc. on July 1st 1966 in Florence, SC as a distributor for Joseph Schlitz Brewing Company, serving 6 Pee Dee counties. The company originally started in an old 3,000 square foot cotton warehouse and by 1972 was building a new 30,000 square foot warehouse on Schlitz Drive, which is still home to part of our warehouse footprint today.
Over the years the company has made a series of strategic acquisitions to accumulate a large portfolio of brands in the beer, wine/spirit, and non-alcoholic categories and we continue to focus on expanding our distribution footprint as we look to the future.
Now in our second generation of family ownership with distribution facilities in both Florence and Conway, we continue to proudly service 12 counties and provide a home to over 200 employees in the Pee Dee and Coastal territories of South Carolina.
Chris J. Yahnis founds The Yahnis Company in Florence, SC as a distributor for Schlitz Brewing, leveraging Mr. Yahnis experience with National Brewing Company (Baltimore, MD) and Schafer Distributing (Dillon, SC) to break into the industry.
As the company grows so does its operational needs, leading to a new 30,000 square foot warehouse being built and Mrs. Vicky C. Yahnis joining the company full time as the Controller and Inventory Specialist.
The organization becomes the designated distributor for Coors Brewing in the Florence region. To support this growth the company adds an additional 6,000 square feet of temperature controlled warehouse space.
The Yahnis Company acquires Stevens Corporation after months of negotiations by Chris J. and Byron C. Yahnis, forming a new company called Chris J. Yahnis Coastal. This expands its operations to Myrtle Beach, SC and includes the distribution rights to Coors Brewing, Schlitz Brewing, Heilman Brewing, and Pabst Brewing in the territory.
The Yahnis Company is awarded the distribution rights for the Corona brand, which has become a pivotal brand for the business.
The acquisition of Southern Distributing of Florence brings the addition of the Pabst Brewing, Heilman Brewing, and Stroh’s beer brands for the Florence territory.
Chris J. Yahnis transfers operating control of the business to his sons, Byron and Jimmy Yahnis. Byron and Jimmy continue to serve as President and Vice President of the Yahnis Company, Inc.
Chris J. Yahnis Coastal outgrows its original warehouse space and builds a new 75,000 square foot warehouse on Husted Road in Conway, SC.
The acquisition of Schafer Distributing Company brings the distribution rights for Miller Brewing, Heineken Brewing, and Seagram’s Wine Cooler product portfolios. The company now operated out of distribution facilities in Florence, Myrtle Beach, and Columbia.
An additional warehouse on Schlitz Drive in Florence becomes available for purchase and increases the Florence warehouse space to 83,000 square feet. Around this time the company is awarded the Smirnoff Ice brand rights.
The company acquires the Yuengling brand rights for its Myrtle Beach territory, becoming the first distributor in the state for the historic brand.
A busy year for the company as it sells the distribution rights for its Columbia territory and acquires the distribution rights for the Mikes Hard Lemonade, Guinness, and FEMSA brands. These acquisitions prove to be pivotal for the company portfolio today.
In June of 2008 Chris J. Yahnis passes away leaving behind a distinguished legacy of business and philanthropy throughout the state of South Carolina.
After the acquisition of Dixie-Central Distributing in 2006 and Williamsburg Beverage in 2010, the company cements its position as the fourth largest beer distributorship in South Carolina.
Multiple expansions are made in Florence, acquiring an additional 50,000 square feet of warehouse and office space on Schlitz Drive. The company now has over 175,000 square feet of operational space between the Florence and Conway locations.
The Yahnis Company adds to its growing Wine/Spirits portfolio by adding brands from 2 new supplier partners; Gallo and Sazerac.