Centennial Distributing Inc., a Coeur dAlene distributor of Anheuser Busch beverages for five North Idaho counties, plans to build a 50,000-square-foot warehouse in Hayden to replace its current 20,000-square-foot facility at 500 W. Dalton.


Although a contractor has not yet been named, plans are to begin construction on the project in late March and move into the new warehouse by Christmas, says owner Mark Duvall. As of early this week, three contractors were still in the running for the bid, which is being coordinated by an Anheuser Busch facilities planning team.


Duvall says he bought 7.2 acres at the intersection of U.S. 95 and Wyoming Avenue in Hayden and expects to have up to $5 million invested there in the land and new building by the time the structure is completed. The building will have 40,000 square feet of temperature-controlled warehouse space, and 10,000 square feet of office space, says Duvall. The companys current building has only 2,000 square feet of office space, he says.


Centennial had nearly $10 million in gross sales last year and employs 31 people, says Duvall. He anticipates hiring five additional employees once Centennial moves into its new facility.


Duvall bought the company in 1990 from Don Lavoie, who had operated the beer wholesaler for 45 years.


Centennial is the sole Anheuser Busch distributor in Kootenai, Shoshone, Bonner, Boundary, and Benewah counties.