CHERO-COLA / OBBAGY BROTHERS BOTTLING COMPANY

The Obbagy Brothers / Chero-Cola Bottling Company were located at 112 Center near the rail road tracks diagonal of the Passenger railroad station.(1) They were bottlers of Chero-Cola (and Melo Grape, a Chero Cola brand, in 1925), Orange Crush, and Good Grape.(1) They appear to have been in operation during the mid-1920s as I have found ads from 1925-1927.(1) Andy Obbagy is the owner of the bottling plant, and a large merchandise store, and the better known Little Hungry Restaurant.(1) By 1938 Nick Crist’s Pocahontas Bottling Works is occupying the building that had formerly housed Obbagy’s businesses, which makes me think that they sold out to him when they left Pocahontas, VA due to harassment and boycotts by the Klu Klux Klan.

According to a 1920's photo of Pocahontas the short building is sitting on the former location of this bottling company. In the photo there is a Chero-Cola sign on the side of the building and on the railing that was on the second floor balcony. This with the sanborn information confirms my theory.

6oz Chero-Cola Soda Water bottle

An ad for the Chero-Cola Bottling Company of Pocahontas, VA from April 14, 1925, advertising Chero-Cola, Orange Crush, and Grape Melo (which was bottled in the Soda Water bottle above with the flavor noted on the cap.)

6oz Orange Crush bottle

An ad for Orange Crush from September 6, 1925.

6oz Straight Side bottle from the Chero-Cola Bottling Company of Pocahontas, VA. This bottle was most likely used for a flavor line, or other brands that didn't have dedicated deco bottles.

An ad for the Chero-Cola Bottling Company and the Little Hungry Restaurant, both of what were owned by the Obbagy Brothers, from May 16, 1926.

Good Grape deco bottle dated 1927

An ad for the Chero-Cola Bottling Company of Pocahontas, VA from April 10, 1927.

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