Nicholas Bink accepts an award at the Delta County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner

ESCANABA — For over 121 years, five generations of the Bink family have been quenching the thirst of Delta County’s residents. It all started with Nicholas A. Bink, who founded Bink Wholesale Liquor and Supply Company in October 1903. In December 1921, the family expanded their operations by forming City Bottling Works, beginning their venture into soft drink sales.

The business continued its “all in the family” legacy with Nicholas J. Bink as general manager. By 1932, the company added Coca-Cola to their offerings, marking a significant milestone.

Fast forward to 1964, Robert, fondly referred to as “Bob” Bink joined the company after graduating from Northern Michigan University. In 1999, he and his son co-founded Bink’s Wine and Beverages, further expanding the family enterprise.

Nicholas R. Bink, after working with Coca-Cola Enterprise Corporation in Grand Rapids, took over as general sales manager in 1996.

In 2024, Nicholas R. Bink II became the latest to join the company after graduating from Michigan State University. This marked the fifth generation of Binks to steer the family business, a tradition that began with his great-great-grandfather in 1903.

What sets this family-run business apart isn’t just their longevity, but their unyielding dedication to community, which earned them the prestigious 2024 Business of the Year award. Over the decades, the Bink family has seamlessly integrated their business with the community, making Delta County feel like part of their extended family.

Here are a few examples of their dedication to community:

In 1916, The Daily Press reported the 25th wedding anniversary celebration of Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Bink, prominent Escanaba residents, noting their strong bonds with the community. The article reads – Mr. and Mrs. Bink have continuously made this city their home since their marriage, and they enjoy the confidence and esteem of a wide circle of friends not only in the city of Escanaba but throughout this section of the Peninsula.

In the 1930 notice of Nicholas Bink’s death, The Daily Press reported that he was a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church, a member of the Holy Name society of that parish, and that he was affiliated with the Chamber of Commerce – a relationship the Binks have maintained ever since.

The family has also supported the Lions Club, with reports of Nicholas J. Bink contributing to several fundraising initiatives. He also played a key role in 1929 organizing the Knights of Columbus Holiday Dance ~ three years after the company began selling Coca-Cola.

Under Bob Bink’s leadership, the family’s dedication to the community continued. To commemorate the company’s 55th anniversary in 1976, Bink’s introduced four beverages celebrating America’s bicentennial with the slogan “200 years and worth the wait!”

From 1960 through yesterday, over 1,000 articles are in the news archives referencing the Bink family’s tireless efforts to bolster local economic and community development from service on government and school boards to membership and fundraising support of just about every civic organization…. as reported in 1916…..not only in the city of Escanaba but throughout this section of the Peninsula.

On behalf of the entire community and the company’s 49 employees, we extend our heartfelt thanks for not only satisfying our thirst with refreshing beverages but also for the privilege of being part of your extended family and nurturing our shared commitment to community growth.

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Vickie Micheau is executive director of the Delta County Chamber of Commerce