STAR DISTRIBUTORS, INC

Star Distributors, Inc. is a third-generation wholesale beverage distributor founded in 1936 by Michael Gallo Sr. Formed out of the bankrupt Rudy F. Baker Distributing Company, Michael Gallo Sr. formed The A. Gallo Distributing Company focused on selling beer in the greater Danbury, CT area. Through a partial consolidation of the Gene Zeoli Distributing Company, The A. Gallo Distributing Company expanded to distribute to Litchfield County. The partial purchase of Gary Beer of Bridgeport brought a fuller portfolio to the A. Gallo Distributing Company, strengthening its hold on Fairfield County.

In 1979, the A. Gallo Distributing Company was split into two separate distributors: The A. Gallo Distributing Company and The A. Gallo Company of Litchfield. With the passing of Michael Gallo Sr., Anthony J. Gallo assumed the lead position in both companies, becoming the second generation wholesaler. The A. Gallo Company of Litchfield grew to include the Pepsi-Cola product line in 1981 which was later divested in 1984 to make room for the Coors franchise.

In 1986, Star Distributors, Inc., was purchased from Alex Caplan and Donald Chepovsky. Star, a Miller/Stroh operation, and The A. Gallo Distributing Company, a Coors/Import operation, merged at the Star location, under the direction and leadership of Anthony J. Gallo. With the Gallo operation serving Fairfield County since 1936 and the Star operation serving New Haven County since 1946, this merger created an immense opportunity for growth. With the assignment of the Coors franchise in 1984 and Corona in 1988, Star Distributors had positioned itself as the premium malt beverage distributor in the state.

As Star continued to grow, so did The A. Gallo Company of Litchfield. Star purchased Fontanella Distributors in 2006 and Classic Beverage in 2007, strengthening their portfolios in both Fairfield and New Haven County. The A. Gallo Company of Litchfield has continued its growth by purchasing the J&M Sales Company. The A. Gallo Company of Litchfield, a Coors/Corona house, and the J&M Sales Company, a Miller/Sam Adams/Diageo/Snapple house, were merged in 2008 to create A. Gallo & Company in Torrington, CT.

Star continued its growth by purchasing an additional 18 acres of land and buildings, which brought the total Star campus to 28 total acres with approximately 300,000 square feet under roof. A new office building finished in 2008 is the centerpiece of the new campus as well as an expanded logistical center, storage warehouse, sales support building, and recycling center. Anthony J. Gallo has focused on increasing the Star family of companies which has grown to include Thames River Recycling, Inc. and New England Wine & Spirits, Inc., in addition to Star Distributors, Inc. and A. Gallo & Company. Anthony J. Gallo works closely with each facet of the companies along with his sons, Peter and Anthony "Rocky" Gallo, to transition Star and its family of companies to the third generation.

Today, Star Distributors is the third largest beer distributor in Connecticut, and the largest non-Anheuser Busch distributor with approximately 40% market share.