About Us

About M.S. Walker

M.S. Walker, Inc. is a wholesale distributor of wines, spirits and cigars based in Massachusetts since 1933. We serve retail stores, restaurants and hotels in Massachusetts. We also manufacture our own brands of spirit products, which are marketed in 27 states and act as marketing agents for many of our suppliers in all of the New England States.  In addition to our Massachusetts headquarters we own brokerage operations in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.  We also own M.S. Walker of Rhode Island and have our Forward Distribution Facility located in Norwood, Massachusetts.

Our Philosophy

M.S. Walker strives to be a leader in the wine and spirits industry by offering the most well selected and diverse portfolio possible, by providing the marketing resources needed to make our products successful and by offering superior service to our customers and suppliers.

We recognize the essential role played by our employees in achieving these goals. Their pride, dedication, integrity and professionalism play an integral role in maintaining our continued growth and success. M.S. Walker is committed to providing a stimulating and fulfilling work environment in order to foster personal and professional growth for our associates.

Historical Background

In 1929, Maurice S. Walker, a Boston pharmacist and manufacturer and distributor of toiletries and personal care products, decided to expand his business into the area of flavorings, extracts and syrups for beverages. The company headquarters were on Wareham Street in Boston's South End. Business grew slowly, with coverage limited to the state of Massachusetts.

Incorporated in 1931 as M. S. Walker, Inc, the company expanded into the production and distribution of alcoholic beverages, after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933. This became the company's core business and source of continued growth.

Throughout its long history, members of Maurice S. Walker's family have managed M.S. Walker. His son-in-law, Leo Allen, joined the company soon after its founding. His imagination and creativity began a tradition of innovative marketing that has continued with each succeeding generation. Through perseverance, salesmanship and hard work, the company has continued to grow, both within Massachusetts and in increasing numbers of other states.

The creative marketing approach and coordinated sales efforts that made M.S. Walker's own brands successful have also worked well for many national brands as well. Today the company's spirits portfolio has grown into one of the most comprehensive in Massachusetts, with representation of large and medium sized national brands, small specialty products and proprietary brands.

M. S. Walker became involved in the marketing and distribution of wines at the beginning of the "wine boom" of the 1960's. The company introduced its own brands of popular wine categories. The success of these brands eventually led to the expansion of the wine portfolio.

At first, growth was focused on small estates and emergent areas, with a stress on value. Through creative marketing and hard work, the company was able to achieve dynamic growth for several new brands that were later to be recognized as being among the most important in the industry. Today our wine portfolio is one of the most comprehensive and best respected in the United States.

The strength of both the wine and spirits portfolio has helped M. S. Walker to develop an extensive brokerage network throughout New England as well as strong relationships with top control state officials. The company is well positioned to successfully promote wine and spirit brands offering full support services.

In 1981 M.S. Walker inaugurated a new 100,000 square foot distribution and manufacturing facility in Somerville, Massachusetts. We have also made several acquisitions including the Overbrook EggNog Company of Maryland in 1985, Seacoast Distillers in 1986, Grapevine Distributors/ S.S. Pierce in 1991 and the Caldwell's brand in 1992.

M.S. Walker's steady growth has placed us among the top five wholesalers in Massachusetts. Under the direction of third and fourth generation family members, the company is continually upgrading its portfolio, staff, facilities and management to position the company for future growth into the new century.