The Republic

Johnson Ventures of Columbus has purchased Indianapolis-based Central Restaurant Products.

The company's former owners, Rick and Rita Weinstein, built the business over 25 years.

Rick Weinstein said the Johnson Ventures "family approach" to doing business was a key factor in their decision.

"We are very pleased with the opportunity to acquire Central as it is a leader in the sales of restaurant equipment and supplies across the United States," said Rick Johnson, president of Johnson Ventures.

"We are also extremely pleased to acquire a great Indiana company and to provide a continuing growth environment for all of the associates."

Central Restaurant Products is a distributor of restaurant equipment and supplies to restaurants, hotels, hospitals, schools and government facilities throughout the U.S.

Over 300 leading manufacturers and 13,000 products are featured in their catalog, which mails nationwide, and on their Web site.

After being in the downtown Indianapolis area for over 25 years, Central recently moved to a new 100,000-square-foot, state-of- the-art facility on the city's northwest side.

The company's showroom facility encompasses two floors and more than 5,600 square feet. It includes a variety of small wares, equipment, furniture and place setting displays.

Johnson Ventures is a private investment company seeking long-term investments in strong companies which have leadership positions in their industries and are located in Indiana or surrounding states.

Other Johnson Ventures portfolio companies are Indiana Limestone Company, Inc., The Stone Center Inc., and Johnson Construction Materials, LLC.