NESBITT-FLEENOR BOTTLING COMPANY

The August 5, 1940 edition of the Kingsport Times News reported that the Nesbitt-Fleener Bottling Company located at 312 East Sullivan Street began operations on the same date with William M. Fleenor listed as manager.(2) It also reports that Fleenor is from Coeburn, VA and already has four years in the bottling business at the writing of this article, with the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company of Coeburn being started in 1936 this makes sense; however, I do wonder if he is involved with both.(2) They started out bottling Nesbitts Orange, Squirt, and their own flavor line. By 1943, according to a March 9, 1944 article, William M. Fleenor has leased the company to the partnership of Robert A. Wellons, and I. W. Stewart and they start up the Kingsport Bottling Company.(2) So what became of William M. Fleenor? By 1949 he takes over the former Beverages Incorporated Bottling Company in Kingsport, TN, and renames it Nesbitts Bottling Company. He and his wife Leta B. Fleenor is listed as living in Coeburn, VA. By 1953 he appears to have sold the Nesbitts Bottling Company of Kingsport, TN.

This is 312 the location of Nesbitt-Fleenor Bottling Company.

10oz Nesbitts Orange Drink bottles both dated 1940

Nesbitts California Orange ad from August 11, 1940

7oz Squirt bottle dated 1941

Squirt ad from July 24, 1941

10oz Nesbitts Orange Drink bottle dated 1941

10oz Fleenor's Fine Flavors bottle dated 1941

Nesbitts California Orange ad from August 4, 1942

This page is only part of a much larger site. To see the rest then just click TAZEWELL-ORANGE.COM