Our Story
A Northern Michigan family business since 1933.
From a small Traverse City garage to a trusted regional distributor — built across five generations.
Herman C. Cox founded H. Cox & Son, Inc. in 1933, distributing beer throughout seven counties in Northern Michigan out of a small garage in Traverse City, MI. Today, H. Cox & Son distributes product across Grand Traverse, Leelanau, Benzie, Antrim, Kalkaska, Wexford, and Missaukee counties.
In 1934, Clinton H. Cox — Herman's son — joined the family business, and a new warehouse was built on 8th Street to accommodate the expanding operation. The two worked closely together until Herman's death in 1947. It wasn't until 1953 that Clinton's two sons, Chuck E. Cox and John C. Cox, joined the business. In 1960, Clinton H. Cox passed away, leaving Chuck and John to carry the company forward.
In 1972, H. Cox & Son, Inc. moved to the south end of town, where it still stands today. In 1981, John C. Cox passed away, and shortly after, Mark L. Ribel (Chuck Cox's son-in-law) joined the company to help Chuck grow the business.
In 1994, H. Cox & Son, Inc. acquired Ameel Distributing Co., a Traverse City beer and wine company, diversifying the product line to include imported beers, microbrews, fine wines, and non-alcoholic beverages such as sodas, waters, and juices. In 1995, Chuck E. Cox — the company's principal shareholder — passed away, and Mark L. Ribel became the sole shareholder of H. Cox & Son, Inc.
In 1998, Mark's son Mark C. Ribel joined the company, becoming the fifth generation to operate the family business. In 2001, Mark L. Ribel's second son, Ryan Ribel, joined as well. Mark C. Ribel and Ryan Ribel purchased the company from their father in 2012. In 2024, H. Cox & Son, Inc. celebrated its 91st year as a local business in the Traverse City area.
Our team is made up of people who are passionate about beer and love what they do — and it shows. From drivers to warehouse employees to leadership, everyone here shares one mission. H. Cox & Son takes pride in the way we operate as a team to represent our suppliers, retailers, customers, and community in a way that creates positive experiences for all.
Milestones
- 1933
Herman C. Cox founds H. Cox & Son in a Traverse City garage.
- 1934
Clinton H. Cox joins; new 8th Street warehouse opens.
- 1953
Third generation — Chuck E. and John C. Cox — join the business.
- 1972
Company moves to its current south-end Traverse City location.
- 1981
Mark L. Ribel joins to help grow the business alongside Chuck.
- 1994
Acquires Ameel Distributing — adds imports, craft, wine, and N/A.
- 1998 / 2001
Fifth generation Mark C. and Ryan Ribel join the company.
- 2012
Mark C. and Ryan Ribel purchase H. Cox & Son from their father.
- 2024
Celebrating 91 years as a Traverse City family business.
From the Archives
This is what it looked like when we started.
A look back at the early days of H. Cox & Son — the original Traverse City storefront, the Clydesdale teams, and the trucks that built our route across Northern Michigan.
