Champagne Beverage Co. opens a new distribution center

Champagne Beverage Company has opened a new distribution center in Madisonville. The 187,000-square-foot facility was financed through a $23 million taxable bond issued by the St. Tammany Parish Development District. Champagne Chief Financial Officer Chuck Reese says the company seriously considered building its new facility in neighboring Tangipahoa Parish, but opted for St. Tammany instead after meeting with the St. Tammany Economic Development Foundation. Says Reese: “It was clear St. Tammany Parish had the best business expansion program in the 10/12 corridor.” Champagne Beverage previously had a 102,333-square-foot warehouse and distribution center as well as a 12,225-square-foot vehicle maintenance facility on eight acres in Covington. The new site is on 32 acres, with space for offices, warehouse storage and distribution. “We had no choice but to expand and upgrade our facilities to keep up with the growth of the company,” Reese says. “We are confident that our new facility gives us room to grow.” Champagne is a multimillion-dollar business with 118 jobs. The new facility will add another 35 full-time workers.