Yesterday, the City of Columbia celebrated the grand re-opening of Southern Crown, including their acquisition of KW Beverage, at 825 Bluff Road, Columbia, SC 29201. Southern Crown Partners, a leading beverage distributor across the coastline of South Carolina and Georgia, is proud to announce the official closing of its acquisition of KW Beverage, a respected distributor with roots dating back to 1954 in the central and upstate South Carolina regions. This completed acquisition marks a major milestone in Southern Crown Partners’ continued expansion across the Southeast and unites two organizations known for service excellence, industry expertise, and deep local connections.
With this transaction finalized, Southern Crown Partners significantly enhances its market presence through an expanded portfolio and the addition of experienced teams from KW Beverage’s Columbia and Piedmont operations.
“We are thrilled to officially welcome the employees to the Southern Crown Partners family,” said Will Dorminy, Chairman of the Board at Southern Crown Partners. “This is more than a business decision-it’s a continuation of a shared legacy of the way we intend to do business. We have tremendous respect for what these teams have built with both retailers and consumers in the market, and we are honored to carry it forward.”
Southern Crown Partners has a long-standing history in the beverage industry, formed from the 2018 merger of Southern Eagle Distributing and Crown Beverages. With over 100 years of family-owned operations, the company is one of the oldest continuous Anheuser-Busch distributors in the country and one of the largest on the East Coast. Its growth is driven by an unwavering commitment to its people, retail partners, supplier relationships, and forward thinking strategies.
The company’s portfolio features top brands such as Michelob Ultra, Bud Light, Modelo, Corona, Heineken, Yuengling, Twisted Tea, Voodoo Ranger, and a wide range of regional craft beverages. Additionally, Southern Crown Partners distributes a growing array of non-alcoholic, wine, spirits, and alternative beverages to meet the evolving preferences of consumers.
“The beer industry in South Carolina has benefited greatly from the leadership of (KW Beverage co-owners) Jim Kirkham and Rodney Williams,” said Schipp Johnston, President of the Board at Southern Crown Partners. “We deeply respect their legacy and are committed to building on the strong foundation they have established. These are communities where our team has deep roots-and we are determined to grow, serve, and lead with integrity.”
“As Columbia continues to grow, it remains important to highlight the companies with history in our community that continue to support our local economy and workforce,” said Mayor Daniel Rickenmann. “KW Beverage has been visible in the community as landmark, but also in contributions to our community and their employees. We celebrate this re-opening as a continuation of their legacy thanks to Southern Crown Partners.”
The integration process is now underway, with a focus on a seamless transition for employees, customers, and supplier partners. Southern Crown Partners remains dedicated to delivering outstanding service and operational excellence while pursuing new opportunities in the beverage industry.
About Southern Crown Partners
Southern Crown Partners was created through the merger of Southern Eagle Distributing (Will Dorminy) and Crown Beverages (Schipp Johnston), two family-run distributors with deep expertise in the beverage market. Headquartered in Charleston, SC, the company serves Georgia and South Carolina with a comprehensive portfolio of leading beer, wine, spirits, and non-alcoholic brands. Southern Crown Partners is committed to excellence in service, community engagement, and innovation.
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