Sullivan Brothers: 1881-1918
In 1881, two brothers, Daniel J. and John F. Sullivan, began a bottling company and
wholesale distributorship of fine wines, liquors and mineral spirits at 376 Wickenden Street in Providence, Rhode Island.
In 1888, they were bottling a variety of sodas, tonic beers, and ginger ales under the name of the Sullivan Bros. Steam Bottling
Works.
By 1892, the two brothers had locations at 398 Wickenden Street, 1 Shofield Street, and 62 Ives Street.
At this time, they were bottling and wholesaling a variety of ales and lagers including those produced by the Narragansett
and Jas. Hanley Brewing Companies.
Around 1897, there were five Sullivan brothers in the family business. In addition
to Daniel and John, the partners now included Timothy J., Eugene D., and Dennis R. Sullivan. The company became known
as The Five Sullivan Brothers. They also had locations at 577 Wickenden Street in Providence, and 9 Warren Avenue in East
Providence.
The Sullivan Brothers Company went out of business in 1918, two years prior to the enactment
of prohibition.
A rare postcard of the D.R. Sullivan Family Liquors located on 78 Ives Street in Providence
(Ives can clearly be seen on the street sign). This branch of the family business was obviously under the management
of Dennis R. Sullivan who is probably one of the two gentlemen standing in the foreground. Note the large Narragansett Lager
sign in the left front window as well as the Hanley's Ale corner signs to the left and right of the front entrance steps.
