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Durdach Bros. marks 70 years in business
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PAXINOS — Durdach Bros. Inc., the largest wholesaler of Genesee beer in the state since 1987 and leading distributor of Coors in a 10-county area, is celebrating its 70th anniversary.
Richard Durdach, chief executive officer of Durdach Bros. Inc. since 1981, was presented a plaque Thursday by the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce in honor of the company’s 70th anniversary.
To mark the milestone, the distributorship, which employs 55 people, will sponsor an open house at its retail business along Route 61 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Prizes will be awarded during the anniversary program, including a Coors Light tailgate kitchen and grill set, Yuengling golf package, Rolling Rock mountain bike, Labatt portable tailgate table, Keystone beach bike, Coors Light golf package, Yuengling tailgate grill package, Genny TV/DVD combo, and Spaten motor scooter.
The open house also will include free beer tasting, hot dogs and soda, and a live radio remote from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. by Y106 WFYY.
Durdach said his grandfather, Paul Durdach, started the business in 1938 in a garage on South Coal Street, Shamokin, behind the former Lincoln School on Market Street, the current site of Lincoln Towers. The business was later handed down to his uncle, Jake Durdach, who became partners with Richard Durdach’s father, John Durdach, after World War II.
Business relocated ’65
Due to its expansion, the business moved in 1965 to its current location at the intersection of Routes 61 and 487, where it continued to serve as a wholesaler for Ballantine and Genesee beers. The company became incorporated in 1966.
Jake Durdach died in 1966, after which his brother John became the sole owner of the distributorship. Following the death of John Durdach in 1981, his son Richard took over the business and has continued its tradition of excellent service and quality products, and has greatly expanded operations.
Since 1981, the number of employees at the business has increased from 12 to 55.
In 1987, Durdach Bros. Inc. became the largest wholesaler for Genesee beer in the state, a distinction it still holds. Also in 1987, the business obtained the franchise for Coors and Corona beers for a five-county area.
In 1990, the company was named a Yuengling wholesaler.
In 1997, Durdach’s purchased a Coors wholesaler in Williamsport, making it one of nine Coors wholesalers in the state.
Retail business
Because of a greater demand for its various products, Durdach’s opened a retail business in 1997, with offices and warehouses across Route 61 near the distributorship’s main office.
Retail hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Executive offices and the sales department are housed at the facility at Routes 61 and 487.
Currently, Durdach’s distributes Coors, Genesee, Yuengling, Corona, imported and craft beer, and various other brands of beer and related products in an 11-county area extending from Northumberland County to the New York state border.
The company has raised approximately $110,000 for cystic fibrosis and an estimated $130,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., through various fundraising projects over the years.
People drive success
When asked the secret to his company’s success, the Shamokin native replied, “It’s the people who make up this company. That’s why we’ve been successful and able to stay in business for 70 years.”
Among the dedicated employees are three other corporate board directors: Art Klemick, president; Nick Fulginiti, vice president of operations, and Joe Sickora, vice president of sales and marketing.
Durdach praised all employees, and particularly paid tribute to the former longtime controller, Maryanne Schicatano, who unexpectedly passed away on Aug. 21 at the age of 57.
Employees recently presented the CEO a plaque dedicated to Schicatano, who had worked at Durdach’s for 23 years. The plaque, which hangs in the main office, contains a photo of Schicatano and describes her as a “beloved co-worker” who touched the hearts of Durdach employees forever.
Durdach also credited Schicatano for properly summing up how the distributorship has remained successful for many years. He said, “Mary once told me that we meet challenges from within and without every day, and we solve them because that’s what we do best.”
Richard Durdach, chief executive officer of Durdach Bros. Inc. since 1981, was presented a plaque Thursday by the Brush Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce in honor of the company’s 70th anniversary.
To mark the milestone, the distributorship, which employs 55 people, will sponsor an open house at its retail business along Route 61 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Friday.
Prizes will be awarded during the anniversary program, including a Coors Light tailgate kitchen and grill set, Yuengling golf package, Rolling Rock mountain bike, Labatt portable tailgate table, Keystone beach bike, Coors Light golf package, Yuengling tailgate grill package, Genny TV/DVD combo, and Spaten motor scooter.
The open house also will include free beer tasting, hot dogs and soda, and a live radio remote from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. by Y106 WFYY.
Durdach said his grandfather, Paul Durdach, started the business in 1938 in a garage on South Coal Street, Shamokin, behind the former Lincoln School on Market Street, the current site of Lincoln Towers. The business was later handed down to his uncle, Jake Durdach, who became partners with Richard Durdach’s father, John Durdach, after World War II.
Business relocated ’65
Due to its expansion, the business moved in 1965 to its current location at the intersection of Routes 61 and 487, where it continued to serve as a wholesaler for Ballantine and Genesee beers. The company became incorporated in 1966.
Jake Durdach died in 1966, after which his brother John became the sole owner of the distributorship. Following the death of John Durdach in 1981, his son Richard took over the business and has continued its tradition of excellent service and quality products, and has greatly expanded operations.
Since 1981, the number of employees at the business has increased from 12 to 55.
In 1987, Durdach Bros. Inc. became the largest wholesaler for Genesee beer in the state, a distinction it still holds. Also in 1987, the business obtained the franchise for Coors and Corona beers for a five-county area.
In 1990, the company was named a Yuengling wholesaler.
In 1997, Durdach’s purchased a Coors wholesaler in Williamsport, making it one of nine Coors wholesalers in the state.
Retail business
Because of a greater demand for its various products, Durdach’s opened a retail business in 1997, with offices and warehouses across Route 61 near the distributorship’s main office.
Retail hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday.
Executive offices and the sales department are housed at the facility at Routes 61 and 487.
Currently, Durdach’s distributes Coors, Genesee, Yuengling, Corona, imported and craft beer, and various other brands of beer and related products in an 11-county area extending from Northumberland County to the New York state border.
The company has raised approximately $110,000 for cystic fibrosis and an estimated $130,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, Tenn., through various fundraising projects over the years.
People drive success
When asked the secret to his company’s success, the Shamokin native replied, “It’s the people who make up this company. That’s why we’ve been successful and able to stay in business for 70 years.”
Among the dedicated employees are three other corporate board directors: Art Klemick, president; Nick Fulginiti, vice president of operations, and Joe Sickora, vice president of sales and marketing.
Durdach praised all employees, and particularly paid tribute to the former longtime controller, Maryanne Schicatano, who unexpectedly passed away on Aug. 21 at the age of 57.
Employees recently presented the CEO a plaque dedicated to Schicatano, who had worked at Durdach’s for 23 years. The plaque, which hangs in the main office, contains a photo of Schicatano and describes her as a “beloved co-worker” who touched the hearts of Durdach employees forever.
Durdach also credited Schicatano for properly summing up how the distributorship has remained successful for many years. He said, “Mary once told me that we meet challenges from within and without every day, and we solve them because that’s what we do best.”
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