BY ROB STROUD Staff Writer

CHARLESTON - The opening of the Coca-Cola company's sales and distribution center at the Coles Business Park was toasted on Wednesday with more than l00 ice-cold glass bottles of the classic soft drink.

The bottles of Coca-Cola were downed during a grand opening celebration and open house held at the 40,000-square-foot sales and distribution center.

Gordon Green, manager of the sales and distribution center, said the center has been operational since June 1. The center had been located at 2120 Marshall Ave. in Mattoon.

"This building offers the greatest location, both from its physical attributes as well as its geographic region," Green said. The building is strategically located near Illinois Route 16 and Interstate 57, he said.

Green said Coca-Cola purchased the building from Agracel and made several modifications to it, such as adding offices. The new sales and distribution center is located just north of the Building Blocks child care center.

An average of 70,000 cases of soft drinks are stored in the sales and distribution center on a regular basis, but the center can hold up to 125,000 cases, Green said. The center serves a 10-county area that stretches from Tuscola to Effingham, he said. About 30 employees work at the center, he said.

Officials from Coles Together, Charleston and Mattoon played a major role in helping Coca-Cola open its new sales and distribution center, Green said.

"They've made it very easy for us to do business in this community," Green said.

Joyce Madigan, president of Coles Together, said local officials really appreciate Coca-Cola's investment in Coles County. She said the company's decision to locate in the Coles Bus Park will make this area even more attractive to businesses.

The Coca-Cola company also operates bottling facility on Prairie Avenue in Mattoon. Green said the future of the old sales and distribution center in Mattoon has not yet determined.

Dozens of local officials and Coca-Cola employees attended the grand opening celebration and open house.

Adolph Kull, who worked for Coca-Cola in Mattoon for 75 years, rode on a horse-drawn carriage through a red ribbon to officially open the sales and distribution center.

Kull worked for Coca-Cola longer than any other employee in its history. His achievement was commemorated this year when Coca-Cola selected Mattoon to be one of 24 communities across the country featured on new 8-ounce glass bottles that were distributed nationwide.

Note: Pictures and Highlights added by Coles Together Webmaster