Weston
Lewis County
Coca-Cola Bottling Works
1924—1935
The Weston Coca-Cola Bottling Works likely opened in 1925 (Mercantile Agency, Sep. 1924; H.S. Rich & Co., 1925), though they incorporated in 1924. In 1926, it was located at 166 W. Second Street, with Homer G. Thompson as the manager (R.L. Polk & Co., 1926). The company built a new plant at the B&O Railroad Depot in Weston in 1930 (“The Industrial,” 1930); I am told this was on Court Street, with the B&O Depot still partially remaining as the Lewis County Board of Education. The 1931 Weston City Directory provides the address 237 Mound Avenue (R.L. Polk & Co., 1931).
This was not an immensely productive plant. In 1929, they only bottled about 4,500 bottles (Dept. Commerce, 1929)—fairly low for a Coca-Cola bottling works.
In 1935, the company changed its name from the Coca-Cola Bottling Works, Inc. to Weston Bottling Co. (WV Sec. State, n.d.), marking the end of the company at least in name. I am unsure as to whether they continued bottling Coca-Cola following this, but I presume not.
Weston Coca-Cola Bottling Works soda bottle. Block letter, ABM, aqua green glass. Front.
Reverse.
A 1915-patented hobbleskirt Coca-Cola bottle from the Weston Coca-Cola Bottling Works. Front.
Base.
Malloy Brothers
1900—1923
The Malloy Brothers were Richard V. and James M. Malloy (R.L. Polk & Co., 1901). The earliest record I can locate of them being bottlers is the 1900 Dun & Bradstreet.
Interestingly, in 1923, the Beverage Blue Book directory notes that Weston Bottling Works is owned by the “Mallroy Brothers.” I take this to be the Malloy Brothers, as the book is riddled with typos. This contradicts the base of the known Weston Bottling Works bottle, which has “Conti Bros.” as the proprietors. And, interestingly again, Conti Bros were noted to be the owners of the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company.
Malloy Brothers, Weston hutchinson-style soda bottle. Light aqua green.
Malloy Brothers, Weston soda bottle. BIMAL crown top, colorless/amethyst glass, oval slug plate.
Malloy Brothers, Weston soda bottle. BIMAL crown top, aqua green, oval slug plate. Notably larger, likely around a pint.
Orange Crush Co.
Information needed.
Orange Crush Bottling Co., Weston. ABM crown top w/ typical Orange Crush mold. Front.
Reverse.
Base.
Weston Bottling Co.
Information needed.
Weston Bottling Co. hutchinson-style soda bottle. Aqua blue, circle slug plate.
Weston Bottling Works
Information needed.
The Conti Brothers consisted of Andy, Michael, and Louis Conti (R.L. Polk & Co., 1926). In 1926, they owned the Pepsi-Cola Bottling Company in Weston—once at 302 W. 2nd Street—but no known bottles exist from that bottler.
Weston Bottling Works, "CONTI BROS." soda bottle. ABM crown top, aqua green glass. Front.
Base.
References
Department of Commerce, Bureau of The Census. (1929). Census of manufacturers, 1929, beverages. https://catalog.archives.gov/id/50101518
The industrial review of West Virginia. (1930, November 18). Beckley Post-Herald, 4.
Rich, H.S. & Co. (1925). The Beverage Blue Book 1925. Chicago, Ill.
R.L. Polk & Co. (1901). West Virginia state gazetteer and business directory, 1901-1902, volume VII.
R.L. Polk & Co. (1926). Polk’s Weston West Virginia city directory, 1926, volume II.
West Virginia Secretary of State. (n.d.). Business entity details: Weston Coca-Cola Bottling Company. https://apps.sos.wv.gov/business/corporations/organization.aspx?org=91523