COCA-COLA BOTTLING COMPANY

Coca Cola didn’t show up in Kingsport until around 1951(2) with W. E. Lacy, former sales manager at Coca-Cola of Johnson City(3), as Manager.(1) They were a branch plant of the Coca-Cola Bottling Works of Johnson City.(3) Lacy left the plant to succeed J. W. Paxton as manager of the Morristown Coca-Cola plant (which was a branch plant of Coca-Cola of Knoxville) in early 1961.(4) They were located at 663 West Sullivan Street, but the address changes by 1955 to 719 West Sullivan Street.(1) This could be a street number shift. It appears that the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Kingsport shut down between August 1970, the last advertisement I can find for the plant, and March 14, 1971 which is the date that a lease ad was run in the Kingsport Times-News announcing the availability for lease the "former Coca-Cola Bottling Plant Building" at 719 W. Sullivan street.(4)

The first location for the Coca-Cola Bottling Company at 663 West Sullivan Street. It is very possible that they expanded to the neighboring building by 1955, but I haven't found any proof as of yet.

6 oz "Pat D" Coca Cola bottle dated 1951

The first ad I have found that specifically mentions the Kingsport plant from September 26, 1952.

6 1/2oz "Tradmark registered in patent office" Coca Cola bottle dated 1963

A receipt from the Coca-Cola Bottling Company of Johnson City and Kingsport

10oz Southway Beverages bottle from The Coca Cola bottling works Johnson City - Kingsport dated 1956

An ad for Sprite from November 26, 1963

A later 10oz Southway Beverages bottle from The Coca Cola bottling works Johnson City - Kingsport

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