Corporate Timeline
Harry Lipman
Meyer Lipman
Norman Lipman
Robert S. Lipman
1934
Harry Lipman and his younger brother Meyer founded the Franklin Distribution Co. in Franklin, KY. This liquor and wine distribution company was established at the repeal of national prohibition prior to the repeal of prohibition in other Southern states.
1939
The state of Tennessee repeals prohibition and the two Lipman brothers relocate
their business to Nashville. Lipman Brothers., Inc. – now the official name
of the company – received its wholesale liquor license, Tennessee State Permit
No. 1, which it still operates under today. The original location was at 208
Second Avenue South.
Lipman Brothers was the very first distributor of Jack Daniel’s after the repeal of prohibition. In fact, handwritten correspondence between the Lipmans and the nephew of Jack Daniel’s founder Lem Motlow – Dan Evans Motlow (“Hap”) – is saved in the Lipman company archives.
1951
Prior to the institution of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Nashville’s Second Avenue would continually flood every year. So, the Lipmans decided to relocate the business. They purchased the property on the highest ground within Nashville city limits at 29 Hermitage Avenue for their new company headquarters.
1961
Harry’s son, Norman, enters the family business.
1967
States approve the sale of liquor by the drink. Lipman Brothers expands to a new facility at 299 Hermitage Avenue. Harry Lipman retires.
1975
Norman’s son, Robert, enters the family business.
1977
Lipman Brothers establishes a separate wine division.
1982
Norman Lipman dies of cancer at age 54.
1988
Robert S. Lipman purchases the family business and becomes the sole owner.
1994
A separate entity – R.S. Lipman – was founded in order for the company to expand into the non-alcoholic and beer sectors of distribution.
1995
Lipman Brothers relocates to its current location, 411 Great Circle Road, in an area known as Metro Center. The state-of-the-art facility houses the largest temperature-controlled warehouse in the state.
1997
The R.S. Lipman product line is further expanded to include premium cigars and Riedel Crystal. A large walk-in humidor is built within in the warehouse to house Lipman’s cigar inventory.
1999
The GreenGrove Luxury Items brand is established under the R.S. Lipman Company. Riedel Crystal, premium cigars, and other luxury items are made available to the public through catalog sales, via phone, and the internet.
2008
The Lipman companies continue to operate as one of the oldest family-owned wine and spirits companies in the country. Robert Lipman is the company’s president and CEO.