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BUSINESS Summit Beverage will move to former Phoenix fruit plant Comment By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News PHOENIX — Summit Beverage Distribution Company has purchased the former Associated Cold Storage fruit packing buildings on C Street to accommodate business growth. The City Council Monday gave approval for a liquor license at the site. The firm hopes to move into the new location in late July, said co-owner Chris LaBelle. Operations are now located at 727 N. Central Ave. in Medford. “We are growing,” said LaBelle, whose firm distributes craft beers, an increasing segment of the beer market, as well as other beverages. “That’s what we have been riding. We need more storage space, and (the property) was for sale, so we bought it.” Summit has 21 employees, including drivers, office staff and sales personnel. It operates eight trucks. All operations will occupy the 55,000-square-foot main building, which includes 21,000 square feet of insulated storage space. Summit has little renovation to do because offices already exist in the space, said LaBelle. Some loading docks will need to be added. With the help of rebates and assistance from Energy Trust of Oregon, the firm will install more conventional and energy-efficient refrigeration for the cold storage space to replace a larger, ammonia-based refrigerating system that was required for fruit storage. The firm is looking at solar-power options, said LaBelle. Summit is primarily a craft beer and wine wholesaler. It represents more than 100 craft brewers and more than 100 wineries. But other nonalcoholic beverages, including juices, energy drinks, teas, sodas, water and kid’s drinks, are a rapidly growing part of Summit’s business. Kombucha, a fermented tea drink, is becoming especially popular, said LaBelle. Summit’s operations will comply with zoning regulations for the area, said interim City Manager Matt Brinkley. “The use is very similar to the previous use as a warehousing and industrial facility,” said Brinkley. “We are definitely excited to bring them into Phoenix.” Fruit operations ceased at the site about five years ago. A firm that specializes in industrial-site liquidations, Reich Brothers, purchased the site and plant out of foreclosure and sold off equipment before marketing the property, Brinkley said. In addition to the main building that Summit will occupy, three other structures are on the property. Those will be leased at a later date, said LaBelle. Cleanup, renovation and possible division of those building will occur after the beverage firm settles into the new location, says LaBelle. Upgrades to the Interstate 5 Exit 24 interchange, now nearly complete, and a widened bridge leading into town were among factors that Summit considered in making the purchase, said LaBelle. A railroad spur serves the site, but there are no plans at this time to use it. Summit distributes in Jackson, Josephine, Klamath and Lake counties. A former office and .8-acre parcel that belonged to Associated Cold Storage on the west side of the railroad was purchased separately by Tommy Larson and Pam Ryan. It will become the Rogue Valley Brainery and Ludotecha, a learning center. Tony Boom is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected] By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Tony Boom for the Mail Tribune Posted Jun. 12, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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