Glass Bottle Revival: Midwest Soda Firm Honors Tradition

Twig's Beverage, a family-owned soft drinks producer in Wisconsin, is continuing the tradition of selling soda in returnable glass bottles, a practice that was common in the US until the 1960s. Customers in Shawano County pay a $20 deposit per case of 24 bottles, which are then washed and refilled, with some vintage bottles still in use after 60 years. This commitment to a nostalgic system is cherished by long-time customers who view these cases as heirlooms.

Established in 1951 by Floyd Hartwig, who conceived the business idea while recovering from injuries sustained in the Korean War, Twig's has remained an independent company. They produce the citrus-flavored Sun Drop under license and also offer their own range of fruit sodas. While their own-brand sodas will be in glass bottles, they will not be returnable for customers outside their immediate sales territory, as returning them is unlikely.

Now run by the third generation of the Hartwig family, Twig's employs 20 people and generates approximately $6.5 million in annual revenue. The company is deeply interwoven with the local culture of Shawano, hosting events like Sun Drop Dayz and maintaining an on-site museum. Despite challenges such as fluctuating ingredient prices, the family's shared passion and community loyalty are credited for the business's 75-year longevity.