History

Finally! Chambord Liqueur to lose the once classy…but now ‘cheesy’ gold plastic look

Brown-Forman Prepares for International Launch of’New Look’ Chambord and Introduction of Chambord VODKA
The now iconic spherical bottle with gold plastic lettered cording around the middle was classy even elegant in the 80′s… but it’s time for a change is overdue

Laird Family Reigns as America’s Oldest Distillers

Laird & Company received license #1 as the United States first distillery and that created the first ‘recorded sale’ of Applejack. There is plenty of proof that America’s oldest ‘strong drink’ may have assisted in the fight to gain that Independence that we celebrate every July.

Celebrate Independence Day…Drink American!

The long holiday is upon us and the options for beverages in every category are loaded with imports from across the globe. But in every economy… there are plenty of All-American products that should be considered when filling the coolers, planning the parties and ordering the cocktails.

Beverages Back in the Day: JOLT Cola

In 1985, Jolt was the Nation’s First ‘Energized’ Beverage.
JOLT Cola was created in 1985 and every can and bottle had the slogan “All the Sugar and Twice the Caffeine.” JOLT became an instant hit for anyone else needing a quick pick me up.

Emilio Lavazza Remembered as “The King of Coffee”

He was the undisputed “King of Coffee” known to many as “Mr Espresso”, but Emilio Lavazza was a passionate salesman who went restaurant to restaurant delivering ground Lavazza coffee in the late 50’s and 60’s. His innovative style and work ethic spread Italian espresso coffee culture around the world and to an international audience as the head of a family-run business which now sells coffee in 90 countries.

Roberto Anselmi ‘Rides’ To the Beat of His Own Drum

He’s as driven in his private life as he is at work, and if you catch Roberto Anselmi in his private life he may be streaking through Veneto on one of his seven collector motorbikes or flying over it in his helicopter. Besides having six BMW’s and a Ducati, he is known for his warmth and charm in the wine business he is regarded as a renegade and as one of Italy’s leading white wine producers.

Beverage Underground Tribute: Fess Parker Winemaker and Actor Passes Away at 85

Fess Parker was a native Texan who moved to California and began as an extra in the movies but is best known for his 1950s portrayals of ‘Davy Crocket’ for Walt Disney and his late 1960s portrayals of Daniel Boone. But his legacy lives on another way because Fess Parker was a celebrity who retired to work harder than ever and turned into a winemaker who developed his love of wine into his own vineyard and family winery in Los Olivos, California in the Santa Ynez Valley.

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.