The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1899-10-24
SODA WATER SECRETS,
FORTUNES MADE BY THE DlScOv.
ERERS OF NEW SOFT DRINKS.

The Scientific American gives the
following interesting details about the
soda water business in New York City.
The chemist who discovers n process
OF making drink and is successful in
putting it on the market soon finds
himself on the high road to financial
success; but of the scores who are
laboring In season aud out of season
to concoct some new mixture that will
appeal TO the taste of thousands of
thirsty mortals not one per cent.
reaches the goal for which he is striv-
ing. Notwithstanding the popular
craze for something new in cooling
drinks in summer, and hot and brac-
ing in winter, the number of success
full drinks each season is very small
indeed. Occasionally the large de
partment stores will take up new
drink and advertise it extensively.
and there will be temporary rush
for 1t which will make the profits large
both FOR the dispenser and the inven-
tor. But there is nothing in which
the public refuses to be fooled for any
length Of time more than in the drinks
which arc consumed summer aud win
is introduced the public stands by il.
and there is a sjeady and constant dc
mand for 1t; but most of the new mix
lures are merely variations upon the
old drinks intended TO deceive the
consumers.
The summer trade in soft drinks is
peculiarly handicapped in this respect.
It's already so loaded down with diff
fercnt sirups and drinks that dealers
will not take hold of n new thing un-
less 1t can be demonstrated to possess
unusual virtues, or the inventor of it
is willing to put lot of money in adj
vertising it, The largest fountains.
where the trade in soda water on a
hot day amounts to a thousand or
more glasses, have to carry in stock
from fifty TO one hundred different
fiavors. The majority of the custom
ers will call only for few different
tiavors, bat the dispenser of drinks
must be prepared TO satisfy the crank
who is bound to call for some odd
flavor il it happens to be out 1t is
to prevent the expansion of this
already too formidable list of sirups
that the trade is opposed to the in
discriminate Introduction of anything
new
On the other hand new drinks are
put on the market every season, but
these are often the result of a little
Independent work on the part of the
owner of the fountain. 1t is an easy
matter for him to concocta anew drink.
His knowledge of sirups, waters and
chemicals enables him to mix differ
ent ingredients together which will
produce a flavor peculiar to itself. 1t
may have no other virtue. But if it
is properly named and skilfully add
vertised, it may have 'run" or n
season that will pay big profits. The
soda water man does not expect n
permanent trade in it, he Is satisfied
if it will take for n few weeks or
months. Usually the drink is one
that does not cost much to make.
The shopping district is the best
all-round soda water district in the
city. Down town in tho business dis
trlct tue soda water season is short:
comparatively few men will call for
this typical American drink except in
very hot weather. Then the stores
do rushing trade, especially in the
phosphates. A phosphate soda is
considered about as harmless n cold
drink on hot day as any concoction
yet devised, and it queuches the
thirst rs well. Consequently, staid
and sober business men will indulge
in one or more glasses of this drink
IN preference to clear ice water. On
the hot days, some of the large down
town drug stores sell a thousand or
two drinks, chiefly of plain soda and
phosphates. Icecream soda is not q
mans fayorite drink, but up town in
the shopping district it outclasses al
most all other drinks. 1t has long
season, beginning early In the spring
and lasting until cold weather comes.
The department stores make a spe-
cialty Of the ice cream soda because it
IS in such general demand; but on
the whole it Is not as profitable rs the
palmer drinks. The reason for ibis
IS not that the cream costs so much
more, but because OF the amount of
time required to consume 1t. Time is
everything to the soda water man on
hot day. With new customers
crowdiug aud iostliug each other to
reach the counter, it is money i'm his
pocket to get rid of consumers as
quickly as possible. IL takes a WON
an considerable time TO eat and drink
her glass Of ice cream soda. Usually
she expects TO make this an excuse to
rest and gossip, and she may occupy
her scat at the table or counter for
ten or fifteen minutes In that length
Of time q dozen or more sodas couId
have been dispensed to new custom
crs who would like TO take their
places. SO as n matter Of business
tho ice cream soda is not n favorifo
with the soda water man in tho hot
weather. Some absolutely refuse 20
serve 1t, except ON ordinary days when
there are no crowds. II is ouvenicut
To be cut Of ice cream when tho mcr-
curry is climbing mp among the nine
ties.
I'm former days the few manufac-
tUrcrs Of soda wotcr controlled nearly
tho whole trade i'm sirups mud all car
donated waters To make more of "a
monopoly OF it. mud to hold ON 90 cue.
toners tho manuiacturcr1 supplied GUS
toners with elaborate fountains and
signs. The only stipulation was that
the customer bought his soda from
tho manufacturer. Tho outfits did
not go out OF the possession of the
manufacturer, and could be taken To-
another customer 10 the soda water
man failed TO liveu up to his agreement