IT’S THE REAL THING – THE COCA COLA BOTTLING COMPANY
The corner of Memorial Boulevard and Middleton Avenue had long been occupied by the red brick Coca Cola Bottling Company. Owned and operated by Peter Faerber and Sons, it bottled and sold carbonated beverages, distilled water and Coca Cola from 1907-1977. Its origins can be traced to Hazard & Caswell in 1847, maker of patent medicines and aromatic waters and ales. After the Faerber family purchased the water division, Hazard & Caswell later evolved into Caswell, Massey & Co., now the oldest pharmaceutical company in America.
By 1979 Crest Farm produce and grocery store moved from Broadway to the site, which was later occupied by The Newport Gourmet Market on the Boulevard. The business closed in 2006 and the building was demolished shortly thereafter. One can still see the original cast cement Coca Cola sign at the rear of the new People’s Credit Union on location at 43 Memorial Boulevard.
Original cast cement Coca Cola sign, 1996