History

ICE BOX HEROES

Beverages Back in the Day
Moxie Soda
When Dr. Augustin Thompson of Union Maine introduced his new herbal soft drink Moxie way back in 1884, he called it ” A delicious blend of bitter and sweet, a drink to satisfy everyone’s taste”. Moxie, was so well received that it became the first mass produced carbonated soft drink in the United States,

R. J. Gators Closes Gulf Coast Town Center Location Ending 20 years in SWFL

R. J. Gators a Florida-based chain restaurant that first came to Southwest Florida in the late 80’s has closed their last remaining store in the area. It marks the first major casualty and closing of a full service restaurant at the Gulf Coast Town Center, but location had nothing to do with this one. The consistency of the restaurant and the marketing of this concept failed to impress visitors to Gulf Coast from the start. The franchise remains in tact

UNDERGROUND TRIBUTE: Icabod’s Wicked Food & Drink

Ft Myers

November 2008-January 2010

It was pretty brave taking on the 13,000 square foot monster formerly known as Dwyers, but Rob DeGennaro’s Icabod’s theme was a big hit and packed them in last season. Although the 364-seat restaurant that featured a giant menu, live music and a troll theme held its popularity, the rent loomed large and Icabod’s abruptly closed on January 23.

DONALD HESS’ PASSION FOR ART AND VINES CREATE A WORLDWIDE COLLECTION

Donald Hess has made the world a better place because his passions center more in art and nature than being a celebrity or owning sports teams. Hess founded Swiss Valser Wasser, and he pioneered direct home deliveries of water in the 60’s. However, it was his first trip to Napa,

Doors Close on Sway Lounge

Sway Lounge the upscale dance club on US 41 East of Fifth Avenue in Naples officially closed their doors after last call on Saturday November 28th. Landlords were forced to lock the doors for back rent, and although Sway was at onetime the premier night club in SW Florida, they couldn’t pay rent with a two night business. Yabba Grill’s late night weekend is the favorite 5th Avenue and Downtown dance party and especially visitors to Naples. The opening of Blue Martini in Mercato has also attracted bar business to north Naples.

Beverages ‘Back In The Day’: Canfield’s Diet Chocolate Fudge Soda

Back in the decade of the 70’s, several brands of Chocolate soda were marketed but it was Canfield’s Diet Chocolate Fudge that was preferred by the masses and by 1984 it helped turn a regional bottler in the Chicago into a national phenomenon. Coca-Cola was in a tailspin over its poorly received product, “New Coke” and consumers were seeking alternatives.

WAS IT RUM…NOT TEA THAT CAUSED THE BOSTON TEA PARTY?

With the signing of the 1733 the Molasses Act the British issued a stiff tax on molasses imported to the colonies from the preferred French colonies, but the colonists still bought through traders. That went on until 1764,…

CLARKE SWANSON AND FAMILY CALLS NAPA VALLEY AND NAPLES ‘HOME’

Before W. Clarke Swanson was the chairman and CEO of Napa National Bancorp, director of the Napa Valley Vintners Association, and director and former chairman of the Oakville Winegrowers Association, he had a successful media career that was based here in Southwest Florida.

Southwest Florida Remembers Mike Prindle

Southwest Florida and the Beverage Underground received sad news from Minnesota as Mike Prindle a friend to so many… and a fixture to the local beverage industry, passed away of internal complications on Wednesday July 15, 2009.A memorial and celebration of his life is being planned for Saturday July 25 in Sanibel Island. Mike will always be remembered as a fun-loving, great guy who served us from behind the bar and for many years as a sales representative and then manager for…

TRIBUTE: Elizabeth Keller Founder-Owner & ‘First Lady’ of Naples’ Legendary Witches Brew

Mrs. Elizabeth Boyette Keller founder, owner and the heart and soul of the Naples iconic Witches Brew Restaurant, Lounge and Package store passed away Saturday July 10, 2009. ‘Betty’ was in her seventies…and she is undeniably ‘The First Lady’ of Restaurant Ownership in Southwest Florida. The Witches Brew was a Naples’ landmark for 43 years before closing on May 1, 2004 and Betty Keller and The Witches Brew launched the careers of some of the area’s most successful restaurant owners, chefs, managers, entertainers, bartenders and servers past and present.