Luigi Cortelli emigrated from Northern Italy to Plymouth, Massachusetts. In the U.S., he adopted the name “Louis Knife” and launched a small business, L. Knife & Son, Inc., selling groceries, grain and animal feed from a push-cart. He eventually traded the cart for a storefront and became a distributor.

Following Prohibition, Louis’s son, Domero Knife, acquired a wholesaler beer license. Shortly after, the company established a beer distribution agreement with Anheuser-Busch.

Domero’s son-in-law, Gerald Sheehan (having joined the company as a route salesman in 1956) succeeded him as President.

The company (presently known as Sheehan Family Companies) began to acquire Anheuser-Busch distributorships beginning with Seaboard Products and expanding their footprint to encompass 3 states and 6 Anheuser-Busch wholesalers by 1996.

Sheehan Family Companies add an Anheuser-Busch distributor in Liverpool, NY, renaming the business T.J. Sheehan Distributing.

Sheehan Family Companies expanded into Wisconsin with the acquisition of Beechwood Sales and Service. Our first foray into the Midwest.

Sheehan Family Companies acquire Union Beer Distributors in Brooklyn, NY.

The Craft Brewers Guild MA portfolio joins the SFC network, establishing state-wide craft beer distribution in Massachusetts.

Union Beer Distributors acquires Craft Brewers Guild NY, growing the Metro NY footprint.

SFC purchases Specialty Beverage, expanding to the state of Virginia.

Ownership was transitioned to the 4th generation and is now owned by John, Tim, Chris and Matt Sheehan.

Sheehan Family Companies proudly continues its over 125-year old tradition of hard-work, integrity, and dedication to our employees, customers, suppliers and communities.