Dipping a toe in the non-alcoholic beverages business, St. Louis liquor bottler Luxco Inc. today said it will buy Paramount Distillers of Cleveland.

Paramount produces liquor and wine, but its Meier's Wine Cellars division also makes sparkling fruit juice drinks.

Luxco produces Everclear grain alcohol, Pearl Vodka, Rebel Yell whiskey, Arrow Cordials, Ezra Brooks Whiskey, and Juarez Tequila. 

"The acquisition is a strategic move for Luxco which allows us to increase our presence in markets like Ohio and Iowa. while also giving us the opportunity to grow our wine portfolio and expand our capabilities into other product lines such as the non-alcohol products," said Donn Lux, Luxco's CEO.

Lux said the move would increase his firms revenue from about $200 million currently to the $230 to $250 million range.  It will add about 100 employees to the current work force of 175.

The price was not disclosed.