RICE'S BOTTLING COMPANY

Lawrence L. Rice was the owner of Rice's Bottling Company who apparently started up a Johnson City, Tennessee branch of his Roanoke, VA Company in 1941(2) at 407 South Roan Street. By 1944 the company appears to have moved to 121-123 East Main.(1) The 1947-48 city directory lists Thomas M. Norris as Manager.(1) The city directories say that Lawrence L. Rice resides in Roanoke, actually I have found no proof that he ever lived in Johnson City. In 1950 Rice is listed as president of both the Rice Bottling Company and the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company in Johnson City.(1)
Where the Johnson City town offices now stand was once where Rice's Bottling Company resided. The original building is long gone in favor of this structure.




6oz Grapette bottle dated 1945
Grapette ad from May 12, 1941




6oz Grapette bottle dated 1947
Grapette ad from May 14, 1941




From the collection of Geff Moore, photo by Joseph Lee
6oz Grapette bottle dated 1948
Grapette ad from June 29, 1941




From the collection of Geff Moore, photo by Joseph Lee
10oz Botl-o bottle dated 1950


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Bibliography:

(1) Baldwin's Johnson City, Tenn. City Directory 1937 through 1986

(2) "Directory of Tennessee Industries" compiled by Walter C. Long 1949