A longtime North Scranton beer distributor has closed permanently.
O.K. Beerman was to close for its last day in business Saturday, Al Trovato, who co-owns the distributor with his wife, Kim, said Friday.
Its name comes from its location at the corner of Oak Street and Keyser Avenue. The business, originally called OK Beverage, dates to the 1960s, according to Times-Tribune newspaper archives. The Trovatos have co-owned it for 16 years.
Al Trovato said Friday he and his wife decided to sell the business because they got a good offer on it. Millett Real Estate of Clarks Summit purchased the property in September for $1.3 million, according to a deed filed with the county. He does not know what the buyer will do with the property.
Trovato said they had great customers over the years, some of whom shopped at the distributor for 30 years.
“It’s sad,” he said. “We really liked it. Most of them are sad to see us go.”
Trovato said his wife will continue working at MetLife, where she works in addition to co-owning the business, while he takes a year off to figure out how to proceed from a business standpoint.