Alcohol distributor RNDC closing 2 metro Atlanta facilities, laying off 558 workers after bankruptcy filing

One of the nation's largest wholesale alcohol distributors is closing its Georgia operations and eliminating more than 550 jobs as it winds down under bankruptcy protection.

Republic National Distributing Company and affiliated businesses filed four WARN notices covering 558 employees at facilities at 1 National Drive SW in Atlanta and 4300 Wildwood Parkway SE near Marietta.

The permanent layoffs are expected to begin Oct. 19 or within the following two weeks. The affected employees will not have the right to move into other RNDC positions, according to the notices.

The four notices cover: 321 Republic National Distributing Company employees, 157 Republic National Distributing Company of Texas employees, 78 Young's Market Company employees and two Young's Market Company of Arizona employees.

The separate filings explain the difference between the 321 layoffs listed in one Georgia WARN notice and the larger total for the two facilities.

RNDC said it explored financing and other options that could have prevented the Georgia closures but was unable to secure enough money to continue operating the facilities.

The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection July 26 to pursue potential sales and wind down operations that could not be sold.

"This decision was not made lightly," the company said. "Over time, our industry has evolved, consumer preferences have shifted and the wholesale environment has grown increasingly challenging."

RNDC said sales of some of its operations allowed those businesses to continue serving customers and suppliers while preserving more than 5,000 jobs. The company's joint ventures in New York, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Kentucky are not included in the bankruptcy filing.