By Staff
Special to The Star
Feb. 14, 2002
Meridian-based Mitchell Distributing Co. has finalized the purchase of a 33-year-old wholesaler that distributes Anheuser-Busch products in Greenville.
Manny Mitchell said his company purchased Riverside Distributors from the family of W.J. "Bo" Voorhies, which had founded the company in 1969. Voorhies had formed Riverside after buying Greenville Ice and Coal.
Mitchell Distributing Co. is the exclusive distributor for Anheuser-Busch products and services in a seven-county marketing area around Meridian. The company has been an Anheuser-Busch wholesaler for 49 years.
Mitchell Distributing will service its new five-county areas of Washington, Sharkey, Issaquena, Sunflower and Bolivar counties from the Riverside Distributors office at 730 Main St. in Greenville. Plans call for the company to construct a new office in the next 24 months.
Mitchell said he plans to commute to Greenville weekly, but the business will continue to be directed by General Manager J. B. McDuffie and Sales Manager Jimmy Ford.
A team of Meridian area employees will also be involved in the operation, including Chief Financial Officer Kent Davis, Marketing Coordinator Lisa Cowart and Computer Operations Supervisor.