Saratoga Eagle on Verge of 35,000-Square-Foot Expansion
Robin K. Cooper, Albany Business Review
Jeff Vukelic will spend up to $4 million to construct a 35,000-square-foot addition to his Budweiser, spirits and craft beer distribution center in Saratoga Springs, New York.
Growing demand for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages between Albany and the Canadian border is the driving force behind Vukelic's decision to expand.
The president of Saratoga Eagle Sales and Service employs 180 people at his 150,000-square-foot warehouse and operations center at the W.J. Grande Industrial Park in Saratoga Springs. The company sells and transports 6 million cases of beer, spirits and non-alcoholic drinks to restaurants, supermarkets, bars and convenience stores each year.
The company distributes a wide range of beverages including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob, Rolling Rock, LaBatt, Stella Artois, Spiked Seltzer, Poland Spring Water and Boylan soft drinks.
Saratoga Eagle has grown as it picks up more business working with local craft brewers. There also has been an uptick in demand for Recipe 21 vodka and beer produced by Founders Brewing Co. of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founders IPA beers currently are the top selling craft beer by volume in the region, Vukelic said.
"That has fueled a lot of our growth," he said.
Saratoga Eagle is seeking city approval to expand its Saratoga distribution center by 30,000 square feet. Offices would be expanded by another 5,000 square feet. The city planning board is scheduled to review Saratoga Eagle's plans at its Nov. 15 meeting at the Saratoga Springs City Center.
Vukelic plans to hire Munter Enterprises of Middle Grove to build the addition. Scheid Architectural of Buffalo and The LA Group of Saratoga Springs also are working on the project.
Construction is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring.