In 1927, the John G. Epping Bottling Works of Louisville acquired the NuGrape Bottling Company of Lexington, bottlers of NuGrape and Orange Crush.[1] Their plant was located at 210 Clark Street, with Hilary Bell the General Manager. The company’s brands expanded over the next decade to included Kentucky Club Pale Ginger Ale, 7 Up[2], Bubbling Over Ginger Ale, Epp’s Kola, Epping’s Lemon Sour and Epping’s Soda Water. The company also distributed Fall’s City Beer.[i]
Epping Bottling Works, circa 1940s (UK)
By 1940 7 Up had became the best selling non-cola soft drink. The Epping Works were expanded and the equipment upgraded to meet demand.[ii] In September 1967, the company was acquired by the local Pepsi bottler, primarily to obtain the 7 Up brand. Production was shifted to the Pepsi works on Versailles Road.[iii]
Epping Bottle, 6 ounces, crown top, circa 1930s
Orange Crush, crown top, circa 1953
Mit-Che, crown top, circa 1940s
Club Soda Bottle, circa 1930s
[1] Orange Crush was created by J. M. Thompson of Chicago in 1906. The company’s “krinkly” bottle was used until 1955, with ACL introduced in the 1930s.
[2] 7 Up was formulated by Charles L. Grigg, of Chicago, in 1929 as a lemon-lime carbonated drink. Grigg also previously formulated Orange Whistle.
[i] Lexington City Directory for 1927 and 1928; Lexington Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, June 30, 1939, page 48.
[ii] Lexington Leader, Lexington, Kentucky, May 16, 1940, page 2, column 2 –3.
[iii] Lexington Herald, September 6, 1967, page 15, column 7.
