$60 million investment fuels continued growth, innovation and workforce while preserving iconic landmark

Mobile, Ala. —Gulf Distributing Co. celebrated the grand opening of its new headquarters at 401 N. Water Street in the restored Press-Register building in downtown Mobile. The milestone highlights the Maisel family’s more than 50-year legacy of leadership and Gulf Distributing’s continued commitment to the region.

The October 23rd celebration featured an outdoor ribbon-cutting with the Mobile Chamber of Commerce, guided tours of the new headquarters, and a downtown excursion featuring many of Mobile’s beloved bars and restaurants, alongside some of the distributor’s powerhouse beverage brands. Community, industry, and business leaders joined the Gulf Distributing team to recognize the company’s investment in downtown revitalization and its impact on local employment.

“We’re thrilled to officially open the doors at Gulf’s new headquarters in the former Press-Register building,” said Louis Maisel, chief operating officer of Gulf. “This expansion marks a bold chapter for our company — transforming a downtown Mobile landmark into a modern, state-of-the-art facility where we will continue to lead our industry in innovation, operational efficiency, and workforce growth. We look forward to serving our customers and our community from this revitalized space for decades to come.”

Representing a total investment of more than $60 million, the project preserves one of downtown Mobile’s most iconic landmarks while establishing one of the most advanced beverage distribution centers in the Southeast. The rehabilitated 243,000 square foot facility will now serve as Gulf’s central hub housing its corporate offices, employee training spaces, and advanced distribution operations.

Gulf’s new warehouse includes advanced technologies such as a Cirrus Tech Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS) crane, AI-powered visual load recognition, and pallet microchip tracking to improve accuracy, reduce breakage, and minimize manual labor. The company’s redesigned delivery system reduces driver workload and hours, creating a safer, more efficient work environment and enhancing Gulf’s customer service network across the Gulf Coast.

“This new headquarters brings us home,” said Elliot Maisel, chief executive officer and chairman of Gulf Distributing Holdings LLC. “It honors our family’s roots in Mobile while positioning Gulf to better serve our customers and communities across Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and southern Mississippi.”

The project also underscores Gulf’s deep commitment to its hometown of Mobile, where the company was founded and remains one of the state’s top employers, by creating new jobs, revitalizing a historic property, and strengthening the city’s long-term growth.

“Gulf Distributing is part of Mobile’s story,” said Mayor Sandy Stimpson. “This new headquarters preserves a local landmark while also creating jobs and strengthening the downtown economy. It is truly a game-changer! We are grateful for Gulf’s continued leadership and investment in our community.”

As part of its continued investment in downtown Mobile, Gulf Distributing has donated $10,000 to its new neighbor, Calloway-Smith Middle School. Accepting the check on behalf of the school were Principal Nedra Payton and Mobile County Public School System Superintendent Chresal Threadgill.

“We want to be a good neighbor in every sense of the word,” said Elliot Maisel. “Before my mother, Freida Maisel, founded Gulf, she spent 30 years teaching 7th grade in the Mobile County Public School System. “Supporting Calloway-Smith is a way for us to honor her legacy and begin what we hope will be a long and meaningful relationship with the school and its students. We also look forward to developing additional opportunities for collaboration, from supporting school initiatives to offering students insights into our operations and building a long-term partnership that benefits both Calloway-Smith and one of Alabama’s largest employers.”

As part of the day’s events, Gulf Distributing invited the public to celebrate alongside them by supporting the restaurants and bars that make downtown Mobile special. From 6 – 8 p.m. the Mobile community enjoyed drink specials featuring Gulf Distributing products like Miller Lite, Coors Light, Red Bull, Modelo, Twisted Tea, Outlaw, Abita, Yuengling, Dos Equis, White Claw, New Belgium and more.

“We’re proud to call downtown Mobile home just steps from the riverfront where it all began 50 years ago,” said Elliot Maisel, chief executive officer and chairman for Gulf Distributing. “This milestone isn’t just about our company’s growth—it’s about honoring the people, the places, and the partnerships that have shaped us. We wanted to create an event that truly brings the community together because our customers, local bars and restaurants, and the entire Mobile community are the heart of what we do. Supporting our community is not only imperative—it’s our core mission. They’ve helped build Gulf into what it is today, and they’ll continue to inspire where we go next.”

Made possible through strategic partnerships with UBCD, United Bank, Truist Community Capital, and Truist Bank, and additional financing from Regions Bank, the project reflects a major public-private investment in downtown revitalization and advanced logistics.

Founded in 1973, Gulf Distributing is a family-owned beverage wholesaler headquartered in Mobile. The company serves approximately 15,000 retail and on-premise accounts across Alabama, the Florida Panhandle, and two markets in Mississippi, employs about 1,300 people regionwide, and partners with more than 140 suppliers to offer a broad portfolio of products.

For more information and updates from Gulf Distributing, visit www.gulfdistributing.com