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georgia

SERVING Georgia Since 1938

Distributors of premium spirits, wine, beer, and non-alcoholic beverages.

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  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
  • Georgia Crown Distributing Co.
SpiritsWineBeerSpecialty

BEHIND THE CROWN

The legacy of family, the promise of quality.

  • 1938
    Fayette D. “Fate” Leebern founds Columbus Wine Company Distributors in Columbus, Georgia. The business is credited with unloading the first legal carload of liquor in Georgia after the end of Prohibition in 1933.
  • 1946
    The second generation of the Leebern family takes over leadership of Columbus Wine Company Distributors. Donald M. Leebern Sr. becomes President after the passing of his father, Fate Leebern.
  • 1949
    The business is incorporated in Muscogee County, Georgia, at which time the name is changed to Georgia Crown Distributing Co. The company’s new identity sheds the regionality of its previous name, positioning itself as a statewide operation.
  • 1957
    Donald M. Leebern Jr., the third generation of the Leebern family, takes over leadership of Georgia Crown. This year marks the beginning of a 35-year run of growth and prosperity under Don Jr.’s direction.
  • 1980
    Georgia Crown establishes its first foothold in Tennessee, forming a beer and malt beverage distribution company in Chattanooga, under the name “Tennessee Crown Distributing Co.”
  • 1980
    Alabama Crown Distributing Co. is established, as Georgia Crown expands into the state of Alabama.
  • 1987
    The fourth generation of the Leebern family – Donald M. Leebern III - joins the company.
  • 1991
    Georgia Crown establishes a spring water bottling and delivery business, based in Dahlonega, Georgia. This date marks the beginning of what would eventually become Melwood Springs Water Co., a division of Georgia Crown, which currently bottles spring water and other water products at a facility in Blue Ridge, Georgia. Spring water bottled under the “Melwood Springs” label is distributed by Georgia Crown to this day. In addition, Melwood Springs Water Co. has expanded its business to include contract bottling for third parties.
  • 1992
    After 35 years of leadership, Don Leebern Jr. steps aside as President and assumes the role of Chairman of the Board of Georgia Crown. The company’s Board elects Donald M. Leebern III as President of Georgia Crown, marking the fourth generation of the Leebern family to take over leadership of the company.
  • 2002
    Don Leebern III and J. Lee Jackson, a veteran beer distributor, establish a partnership between their companies for the purpose of acquiring and operating beer distributorships across Georgia and beyond. The resulting company- J&L Ventures, LLC (dba "Beverage South")- distributes malt beverages and other alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverage products in markets in Georgia and South Carolina.
  • 2004
    A new, state-of-the-art, central warehouse and office facility is completed in McDonough, Georgia. Previously, the company had been conducting operations from multiple warehouse/office facilities in Atlanta and other locations across Georgia, with its corporate headquarters situated in Columbus. The new facility became the new headquarters of the company and consolidated all functions, warehousing, logistics, and operations, under one roof providing efficient, statewide distribution from a single strategic location.
  • 2008
    Expansion into the distribution of wine and spirits in Tennessee begins with the acquisition of United Liquors Corporation in Memphis, Tennessee. United’s distribution business dates back to 1938.
  • 2012
    Further expansion of wine and spirits distribution continues in Memphis, with the acquisition of Southwestern Wine & Liquor Co. Inc., whose distribution business dates back to 1946.
  • 2013
    The merger of Southwestern Wine & Liquor Co. Inc. and United Liquor Corporation, along with a corporate name change, marks the official establishment of West Tennessee Crown Distributing Co.
  • 2014
    A new, central facility, modeled after the company’s central facility in McDonough, Georgia, is completed in Alabaster, Alabama, just south of Birmingham. All of Alabama Crown Distributing Co.’s warehouse and office facilities are consolidated under one roof for the first time, providing statewide distribution from a single location.
  • 2020
    The company’s expansion into the distribution of wine and spirits in Tennessee continues with West Tennessee Crown’s acquisition of Fireside Distributing Company, LLC, adding the bustling metropolis of Nashville and surrounding areas to West Tennessee Crown’s footprint.
  • 2021
    To reflect the expanding distribution territory in Tennessee and gain operational efficiencies, West Tennessee Crown’s name is changed to “Tennessee Crown Distributing Co.” and Fireside Distributing is merged into Tennessee Crown.
  • 2024
    With the acquisition of Beverage Control, Inc. in Knoxville, Tennessee, Tennessee Crown and Beverage Control collectively achieve statewide distribution capabilities in Tennessee.
Our Story

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