In today's world, many people relocate away from where they grew up to continue their lives.  Being someone who did the same many years ago for a new job in a better economy, I too have looked for some of my hometown favorite sodas only to find nothing and in some cases asking people for something that they had never heard of before (thinking of you Faygo Rock N Rye).

I grew up in Michigan, home to Vernors, Faygo and Town Club.  When I went looking for my favorites in Dallas, many people had never even heard of these brands.  After opening Blooms and starting to stock the store I learned that along with candy, soda is also a very regional treat.

Bottlers and manufacturers may only produce a soda that gets sold to their local territory or regional market.  Therefore, some sodas and candies never make it past their home-state lines.

Another twist of fate can occur with bigger brands like Coca Cola and Dr. Pepper.  Bottlers throughout the United States only purchase the rights to bottle and distribute sodas in a specific territory.  What this means is that you may be able to find a soda all over a 15 mile radius, but travel beyond that and you won't be able to find it, anywhere.

The larger soda companies are very strict with these distribution rights and will either fine local bottlers or in the case of severe disregard for the rules, they will take the rights to sell the product away if they discover that they are selling outside their designated radius.

Some specific sodas that we have tried to find throughout our history where this is an issue have been Delaware Punch Cans, Nehi Glass Bottle, Grapette Glass Bottle, Dr. Pepper 8 oz Glass Bottle, Stewarts Glass Bottle, A&W Root Beer Glass Bottle and several more.

In our quest to being able to locate and source these products we end up paying a premium for these and then have to pay to have them shipped across the country to us. This is why even though it may be a Coke or Pepsi product, the prices are higher to account for the additional steps we have to take to get it delivered to us.

We have also learned that things change all the time, what might not be found now, could end up being reintroduced later.  We always on the lookout for changes in the market and continue to try and find sources with the best prices so that we can pass them on to our customers.

We hope you enjoy our store and our selection.  As always, if there is something you can't find, drop us a note and we will see what we can do to find it for you!

bloomsonthesquare@gmail.com

January 13, 2019 — Blooms Employee