SHIPPENVILLE, Pa. (EYT) — A combination of wanting to retire and declining sales due to changes in how beer is sold in Pennsylvania are the reasons behind the decision by the Holabugh family to close Riverhill Beverage and sell the building and adjoining land to Clarion County.(Photo by Dave Cyphert of ProPoint Media Photography)
“There are a couple of different reasons,” Charlene Holabaugh, who along with her husband, Bill, owned Riverhill Beverage since 1999.
“I do think beer distributors are fading out because our state opening convenience-store sales have a put a hurting on us. But, that is not the only reason. We are retiring soon, and we want to close up some doors before we do that.”
Bill Holabaugh and his family have been in the beer distributor business in Clarion County a long time dating back to when his father owned a beer distributor in Tylersburg.
“We also owned Holabaugh’s (in Clarion where MCM Windows is now located) for 33 years,” Charlene Holabaugh said of the beer distributor that closed in the 2000s. “We then bought Riverhill Beverage in January 1999.”
Both Holabaughs said this is a bittersweet moment in their lives. They are happy to be able to retire, but at the same time, they are sad to be getting out of the beer distributor business.
“We have developed such wonderful friends and memories over the year,” Charlene Holabaugh said. “The beer distributor has allowed us to do that.”
Both Holabaughs are grateful for the many loyal customers and employees they have had over the years.
“My husband and I want to thank all the loyal customers over the years and the valued employees,” Charlene Holabaugh said. “Without them, we wouldn’t have been able to stay in business so many years.”
Bill Holabaugh gave a special thanks to Dick Beck, who has been the manager at Riverhill Beverage the entire time the Holabaughs have owned the business and has worked there at least 40 years.
“A special thanks to Dick Beck,” Bill Holabaugh said. “He has been there close to 40 years if not more and has been our manager for the past 20 years after working for Bob Henry for more than 20 years. I want to thank him, all of our employees and our customers.”
Bill Holabough said his family believed the beer distributors were part of the community and therefore wanted to be good members of the community.
“We tried to be good members of the community because the community kept us in business,” Bill Holabaugh said. “We wanted to give back as much as we could. It’s been harder the last few years because things haven’t been as good (in terms of business).”
Bill Holabaugh said the business has been good to his family.
“It’s been a good business for us,” Holabaugh said. “We enjoyed all aspects of it and especially the people associated with it. But, it is time to move on.”
Charlene Holabaugh said there isn’t a specific date for closing the store yet only pointing to a statement made by Clarion County Commissioner Ted Tharan.
“All I can say is what Ted said, they are looking to close (on the sale) within 60 days,” Charlene Holabaugh said.
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