2009.06.25
Blue Ridge Beverage marks 50 years under the Archers' ownership
Butch Simpson presents the Archers with a framed memento. from left, James Archer, Regine Archer, Bob Archer, Butch Simpson, Nancy Archer Doucette, and Jacqueline Archer.
In 1959, James Archer, a Virginia Tech graduate and a WWII veteran major in the U.S. army, and his wife Regine bought Blue Ridge Beverage and moved their family to the Roanoke Valley. On June 18, the now company celebrated 50 years under the family's direct ownership and care as a beer, wine, and soft drink distributor to nearly 50 counties in Virginia.
The company held a ceremony on June 17 at their Salem location and held a gala celebration on June 20 at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center to commemorate their milestone.
James Archer passed away in 1972, and his wife Regine, who he met in Belgium, took over the presidency position and helped the company grow alongside Miller's Brewing Company at a time when there weren't many women in the beer and wine business, said daughters Nancy and Jacqueline. She was named a Miller Legend by Miller, and she also was awarded a life service award from the National Beer Wholesalers Association.
"Certainly from the time that I can remember our family grew up talking, sitting around the dinner table, about the beer business every night. It's certainly been part of the family fabric for a long time," said Jacqueline.
The oldest, Bob, is now the president and CEO and started working alongside his mother at age 25. He and his five siblings, Nancy, James, Evelyn, Paul, and Jacqueline all work for Blue Ridge Beverage.
The company services 49 counties in Virginia, has facilities in Salem, Waynesboro, Lynchburg, South Boston, Marion, and Norton. They have 350 employees and distribute more than 7,300,000 cases of beer, wine and soft drinks.
