Specialty Distributor McClain’s Sells Retail Business

McClain’s Old Florida Gourmet in Sarasota, Fla., has sold its retail outlet in Fort Myers as part of the company’s plan of continued growth for its regional wholesale distribution business.

The sale to Jane Maurer, who has been managing the retail specialty food store since 2009, was effective Jan. 1, according to Kelly Abercrombie, CEO of McClain’s, a regional distributor of shelf stable gourmet food, bulk and count candy, and Florida specialties and novelties. 

The retail store was also previously named McClain’s Old Florida Gourmet. It has been renamed McClain’s Gourmet to retain the branding and goodwill accrued during McClain’s nearly 30 years as a retailer in Fort Myers, Abercrombie said. Financial terms of the sale were not disclosed.

“When I joined McClain’s in 2008, our business was 95 percent retail and 5 percent wholesale, and it has always been our goal to reverse those numbers and concentrate on wholesale,” Abercrombie said. “Jane Maurer has been a wonderful employee and manager, and we are very happy to have the store in her capable hands.”

McClain’s Old Florida Gourmet is a regional distributor that distributes more than 4,500 products from 75 suppliers. Accounts range from airport concession, hotels and hospitality, and retailers such as Whole Foods, The Fresh Market and Lucky’s Market to independent grocers, drug stores, and other retailers. McClain’s carries products from national companies like Jelly Belly, Taffy Town, Boyer, Bone Suckin’ Sauce, DeLallo and Braswell. It also specializes in distribution of Florida-produced products including Anastasia Confections, Davidson of Dundee, The Spice Lab, Reva Foods and Tropical Blossom.