- November 23, 2024
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The train car parked in front of S.R. Perrott Inc., 1280 N. U.S. 1, is not making a delivery. It’s a wine tasting room.
“We started the wine distribution after a trip to Europe,” said company owner and President Michele Connor.
And by October, there will be another addition at the company, known for its distribution of 50 brands of beer and many types of nonalcoholic beverages. On April 21, they had a groundbreaking ceremony with local business and government officials for a 22,300-square-foot office building to be constructed in front of the 90,000-square-foot warehouse.
The offices will make room for the personnel currently at their former plant at the corner of West Granada Boulevard and North Perrott Drive.
“It will be so wonderful to be all together,” Connors said. “Just the efficiencies of it.”
The warehouse was constructed last year to allow room for growth, and some office personnel remained at the West Granada Boulevard site. The West Granada Boulevard site was purchased later by All Aboard Storage and will become a storage facility after renovations.
“They could have relocated anywhere.”
Joe Mannarino, city economic development director
Connors told the crowd gathered at the groundbreaking that it was almost 54 years ago to the day that the company was started by her parents. She said they now have 162 employees, which is up 15% from last year.
“I’m so proud of the team and the executive staff,” she said.
To encourage the company to stay in Ormond Beach, the City Commission voted last year to approve property tax reimbursements over a five year period, now in their second year. For the first two years, the tax breaks are 100%; the third and fourth year, 75%; and the fifth year, 50%.
City Economic Development Director Joe Mannarino said the tax breaks are well worth the investment because the company provides jobs and property tax, as well as utility taxes and franchise fees.
“They could have relocated anywhere,” Mannarino said.
Also happy to have the company stay is Rich Cooper, vice president of economic development for the Ormond Beach Chamber of Commerce and president of Mitchell-Noel Insurance Agency.
“They are such a promoter of the community,” he said. “It’s great to see them growing and staying in the community.
He said they support events with donated beverages and banners.
S.R. Perrott not only distributes for large breweries, but also local craft breweries, getting their products into stores and bars.
“The craft beer industry is exploding,” said Eva Connors McMullin, marketing director. They currently distribute for three local crafters.
Michele Connor said import beer has also increased, showing people now have a taste for high-end beers.
The general contractor for the new office building is Arco Construction Inc., of St. Louis Missouri. Brandon Commons, of ARCO, said the $3.5 million building will be “tilt-up concrete” construction, same as the existing warehouse. In this method, the concrete is poured on site, and the walls are lifted into place.
S.R. Perrott was started by Samuel R. and Mariette Perrott in March 1962. Their daughter, Michele, is now owner and president and R. Gary Connors is vice president.
Michele Connor has said that her parents started the business selling out of the back of a station wagon.
