I just finished writing the McKinney and Doyle August newsletter and fell in love with the topic in the bakery section about old-fashioned soda fountains. For those of you who don’t know, M&D has
an old fashioned soda fountain in the bakery section and it’s a great spot to take a break from the summer heat. They’re such a cool tradition with a rich history so I thought I’d keep the conversation going here in blog world.
It’ funny because these days, when I hear the term “soda fountain” I picture a 1950’s style countertop with milkshakes topped with whipped cream and a cherry and giant banana splits over flowing with hot fudge. But soda fountains actually date back a hundred years earlier to the drug revolution of the 1850’s when people would visit a local drug store for a drinkable remedy often laced with cocaine.
Fast-forward to the 1880’s and the invention of carbon dioxide tanks and my initial image starts to take form. Pharmacies started selling carbonated soda drinks and once Congress passed a law banning cocaine and other opiates as over-the-counter products in 1914, soda fountains started to really become what we know them as today: a place for delicious, non-intoxicating treats.
Once the 1920’s came around, it was harder to find a drugstore without a soda fountain than it was to find one with a fountain. Want to know why? Prohibition closed all the local bars so unless you knew of a Speakeasy, soda fountains were your best bet for a social hour. Business was booming! Most locations also offered ice cream and some light meals. It was a golden age for soda fountains and soda “jerks” (those who ran the fountains and made the tasty treats).
This high time lasted through the 50’s before soda fountain drinks became known as “soft drinks” (sound familiar?). The age of old fashioned soda fountains began its decline in the 1970’s after canned soda hit the market and took off.
While it’s rare that you find an old fashioned soda fountain, with a marble top and classic menu items, like an egg cream or an Italian Soda, they are out there. We’re lucky enough to have one in our small town bakery and the nostalgia only adds to the beauty of it all.
Honestly, can you think of anything better than a chocolate malt shake on a hot summer day or sharing a banana split with your loved one or your kids after a long day at work?
People tweak traditions all the time but there are some that should be left untouched. If you ask me, soda fountains should make a comeback. We don’t need self-serve, pay by the ounce, artificially sweetened ice cream imitators. How about we go back to hand crafted sundaes made with a smile and served with an extra spoon? Sound good?
Good.
Rebecca McKinney
I wanted to create this blog for a few reasons. First and foremost, to share tips, tricks, and knowledge about the food and beverage industry in general but also to help people see a different side of the restaurant world. Every restaurant has a totally unique culture and world within it. I want to help open people’s eyes to more than how fast the service is or how easy or hard it is to secure a reservation.
So, thanks for stopping by! I welcome your ideas, input, and feedback and hope you enjoy!
Eat well & travel often,
Becky McKinney
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