History of Stanley Stawski Distributing Co.
For over 50 years, Stawski Distributing has continued to grow and maintain its position as the leading importer of alcoholic beverages from around the globe.
Stawski Distributing imports ten different vodkas from Poland (where vodka was born) including the most popular vodka in Poland, “Zytnia®“. The company also imports vodka from Lithuania and Russia. In addition, Stawski imports Zipfer and Edelweiss beers from Austria, Turkish and Polish honey wines, Bulgarian wines and vermouths, Slovenian mineral water, and Croatian liqueurs.
Beers make up to 80 percent of Stawski’s sales. There are the staple Polish beers such as Stawski Beer, Perla, and Lomza. Stawski was first to distribute beers such as Mousey from Switzerland, McEwan’s and Tenants from the United Kingdom and Broken Hill from Australia before the imported beer trend began. Stawski now imports Slovakia’s wonderful Golden Pheasant Beer®, Austrian Zipfer and the latest addition, Thailand’s Chang Beer. While concentrating on Central European products, Stawski is not afraid to take on niche products from other regions, such as the Indian beers Kingfisher, Flying Horse and Taj Mahal.
Stawski plans to continue introducing new beers, wines and spirits from around the world. The history of Stawski Distributing is like any other successful firm: based on hard work, identifying potential markets and following the high road of business ethics in dealing with customers.
Stawski’s market of beers, wines, cordials, and spirits started over 50 years ago by the man who’s name is over the company’s door: Stanley Stawski.
Born in Poland in 1924, Stawski survived the 1939 invasion of his country by the Germans. In 1944, he took part in the Warsaw Uprising as a member of the underground Home Army. Captured and sent to a prisoner-of-war camp, Stawski headed to Italy after his camp was liberated, and joined the 2nd Polish Corps.
Two years after the war ended, the British sent his unit to England and when the British demobilized his unit in 1951, Stawski left for the United States. He had $20 in his pocket.
By 1954, Stawski was working as a liquor and wine salesman in Chicago. Six years later, he opened his own company, importing beers from Poland and Austria.
As with any new business, the beginning years were difficult, especially in dealing with countries that were, at the time, run by socialist governments who distrusted anything American. Sales were appropriate for a small operation.
Stawski credits its success to “hard work and perseverance.” This perseverance is now bearing fruit. Stawski Imports’ dealings with the state-run liquor monopolies of the Central European nations are successful because of its product-knowledge and personal contacts to bring over the best and newest products.
The company now distributes to 43 states. Stawski continues to introduce new beers, wines and spirits from around the world.
