Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company

What I know about the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Co. Jules Martin moved to Taylor County in 1927 and opened a bottling company manufacturing a flavored soft drink known under the brand of Martin's Beverages. I can remember an orange and red soda water. In 1930 Mr. Martin added NuGrape and in 1939 Pepsi-Cola was added to the product line. I think they may have bottled some other brands also, one I remember was Delaware Punch which was not carbonated.

Marcus Parker was the Plant Manager and I remember him telling about a problem they had when they bottled Delaware Punch. It seems that the water pressure had to remain constant during the bottling of this drink so they had to be sure on one used the bathroom while the bottling line was running.

Mr. Jules Martin was joined in the business by his son Harold after he returned from duty after World War II. After Jules death in 1973, Harold continued to run the business until his death in 1983, at which time Harold’s children took control of the business with Tyson Hicks as President and continued running the business until 1986.

In 1986 the Pepsi-Cola Metropolitan Bottling Company Inc. of Valdosta Ga. Bought the family-owned Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company of Perry, thus ending almost 60 years of Martin family ownership of the soft drink business.

On a personal note I knew Mr. Jules Martin as I also attended the First Methodist Church. Mr. Martin was a very dignified and kind man and I remember him wearing a white suit to church most Sundays.