Family owned since 1928.
Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service is an American success story. It begins with a young man’s enterprising idea and his willingness to work long hours to create his own opportunities. The late Stephen L. Vukelic started bottling soft drinks in his native Lackawanna, New York in 1928, at age 27, to meet the demand of thirsty Western New Yorkers during prohibition. Thus, Try-It Distributing, the parent company of Saratoga Eagle Sales and Service, was born.
In 1933, he began distributing beer, with Phoenix as the major brand. When Try-It added Budweiser and Michelob to its product list in 1946 and Labatt in 1949, Stephen, fondly known as “The Chief,” had charted the course for the company’s successful future. Stephen’s son Gene carried on the family business along with his sons – Paul, Jeff, Timothy, Peter and Matthew.
Always looking for growth opportunities, the Balkan Beverage subsidiary was formed in 2004 to distribute non-alcoholic beverages. Balkan Beverage distributes such name brands as Red Bull Energy drinks and Arizona teas. In 2005, the family acquired another Anheuser-Busch distributorship, Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service in Glens Falls, NY. Jeff Vukelic left his position as Executive Vice President at Try-It Distributing to assume the responsibility as President/Chief Operating Officer of Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service. Formerly known as Northern Distributing, Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service has been in business since 1933 servicing Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington, and Essex counties. Experiencing growth through acquisition, the company’s footprint now incorporates Albany, Rensselaer and Franklin counties as well. The company operates out of a state of the art 150,000 square foot facility with over 180 stakeholders, delivering 5,000,000+ cases annually to over 2,500 customers. All accomplished under a unifying motto: Our Best… Every Day!
Trust.
Team.
Tradition.
Territory Map & Distribution Centers
Try It Distributing
- 4155 Walden Avenue, Lancaster, NY 14086
- 3165 NY-16, Olean, NY 14760
Saratoga Eagle Sales & Service
- 45 Duplainville Road, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
- 2085 Lake Rd, Elmira, NY 14903
- 80 Montana Drive Plattsburgh NY 12901
- 41 Browne St, Oneonta, NY 13820
Balkan Beverage
- 4155 Walden Ave, Lancaster, NY 14086
- 140 Mushroom Blvd, Rochester, NY 14623
- 6606 Joy Rd, Syracuse, NY 13507
- 2085 Lake Rd, Elmira, NY 14903
Community Service
Community Service is fundamental to the Vukelic Family. Try-It advances education about responsible consumption of alcohol. For many years the Company has spearheaded awareness programs in area schools, and participated in media campaigns that carry the message of moderation.
A major supporter of organizations and charities, Try-It’s management and staff serve on numerous community boards and committees. Try-It is committed to its role of a good corporate citizen. Events that add to the enjoyment of life in the Buffalo Niagara region, such as the Taste of Buffalo and Thursday in the Square are among those sponsored by Try-It.
Its corporate motto: Trust, Team and Tradition is put into action every day. Canisius College has chosen the company for a “Family Business of the Year Award,” and Try-It has won many national awards for sales achievements and business milestones.
Sustainability
Try-It Distributing and its subsidiaries are committed to reducing our waste streams, greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and overall impact on the environment by fostering recycling and clean energy programs across all of our facilities and operations. We have made a choice to make Environmental Sustainability part of our Team Culture. We have a Sustainability Team made up of stakeholders that wish to further our environmental vision. This has resulted in the following green initiatives:
- Converting fleet of delivery trucks from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)
- Opening a public accessible CNG filling station
- Installing solar panels
- Utilization of interior and exterior Light Emitting Diode (LED) lighting fixtures
- Recycling of our waste aluminum cans and bottles
- Recycling of all of our office paper, cardboard and warehouse shrink wrap
- Recycling of our liquid beer waste
- Eco-Responsible construction practices