SUN SPOT — THE CHICAGO BRAND MUSEUM

SUN SPOT’S SUNNY BEGINNING

Sun Spot was created in Baltimore, Maryland, by the High Rock Ginger Ale Company. Though the exact release date is unknown, there is evidence of Sun Spot in the 1930s. Sun Spot was advertised as Bottled Sunshine because of its orange citrus flavor made with real orange juice.

EXPANSION AND ACQUISITION

As Sun Spot became more popular, the High Rock company expanded from a Baltimore bottler into a national franchisor and began operating and franchising under the Sun Spot Bottle Company (also known as the Sun Spot Soda Company). They licensed syrup and production rights to independent bottlers across the U.S., allowing the drink to be made and sold locally as well as in other states. Sun Spot was produced and owned by High Rock until the 1940s, when the company tried to cut costs by using cheaper flavor extracts. This severely hurt product quality and damaged consumer trust and sales. Unable to recover, the company and the Sun Spot product were acquired in 1953 by the Suburban Club Carbonated Beverage Company and Pepsi-Cola.