The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-07-16
SOFT DRINK ERA.
TOpeka's Population Basks in
Air Of Soda Fountains.
Hot Weather a Boon to the
Drug Stores.
TRADE is INCREASING.
Enjoy a Larger Patronage Than
Ever Before.
Men Want Drinks, the Woman
Prefer Sundaes.

Some interesting facts have been
CLEANED from the dispensers of soft
drinks in Topeka The younger gener-
alton scarcely realizes the change that
has taken place in the character and
volume of the soda water trade More
than one of the veteran druggists OF
the city recall the time when a foun-
tain resembled a cash register in size
There was little variety in the drinks
served in those days, plain soda water
/ in various fIavors being the only soft
beverage that one could secure. Finally
someone CHANGED to try the cCmbina-
ton of soda water and ice cream, and
at once this sprang into popular favor
Later the crushed fruits were added TO
supplement the syrups and since then
various combinations have been effect
ed until at the present time the most
fastidious epicure can find something
to his taste.
A tour of the soda water establish
ments divulged some points in regard
to the trade that are not generally
known to the public Let it be said
in regard to the soda water business,
that not only in Kansas IS 1t more
prosperous this season than ever be-
fore but there has been an increased
amount of business in Missouri and,
in fact. all over the country. In kan
sas the druggists consider the condl-
ton largely due to the putting on OF
the lid; and the Sunday closing in other
states is given credit for causing an
increase in the sales. although the fact
that the drinks are becoming more
tempting all the time has undoubtedly
something to do with thu condition.
It appears that in Topeka the ladies
generally prefer plain ice cream or
sundae, while the men on the other
hand give drink a decided preference
M cot aT-eaC
while the latter select something tart.
Among the ice creams, The nut sundae
enjoys the widest degree of popularity,
although 1t is comparatively recent
combination In respect to the drinks
root beer and cocoa cola are supreme
The faVors most often ordered are
lemon, cherry, orange, pineapple straw
berry, and chocolate. The two latter
are considered old "standbys, although
lemon and cherry are at the present
time in special favor. The egg drinks
which have grown much in public ia
vor are seldom ordered by ladies'.
At one fountain lemon flavor leads
in popularity. Another fountain dis
penses- more root beer than anything
else and their 'long green mint phos-
phate comes second in popular esteem
the patrons of the establish
ment. Here 700 gallons of root beer
syrup will be consumed during the
season at the rate it is selling at the
present time. At the third store y.
c. is the popular drink with cocoa cola
q close second. Another firm reports
that the large end of the trade at their
fountain is in connection with cocoa
cola, root beer, and new floss" At
another Kansas avenue fountain cocoa
cola is the favorite drink, while the
ladies when they do not order ice
cream prefer root beer.
The other evening, one of the hottest
OF the season, certain gay young
man was talking to a young lady in
regard to the various drinks and those
that are most cooling and refreshing.
He recommended a mint julep, SO the
rext evening after a scorching day she
walked up to a soda fountain and
calny asked for mint julep. She was
Informed that the lawmakers in To-
peka had prohibited the sale of such
a drink.
Isn't that pure food law a farce?"
she replied, and then walked out in
At the next fountain they
told her that they had expected some
mint in for days, but it hadn't arrived. |