LIME ROCK SPRINGS COMPANY

Photo courtesy: Pamelape Gantz

Photo courtesy: Bob Reding

Photo courtesy: Pamelape Gantz

Photo courtesy: Jim Massey

LIME ROCK SPRINGS COMPANY. In 1916 L. B. Gantz established the Gantz Bottling Works. He sold the company in 1917 to his son John J. GANTZ, Sr. In 1917 the company was renamed Lime Rock Springs for the natural springs on which the bottling facility had been constructed. The company was listed in the 1922 telephone directory as being located at the race track.

The company bottled a full line of flavored soft drinks under its own label until 1936 when John J. Gantz, Sr. obtained the franchise rights to Pepsi-Cola, a little known brand.

Gantz renamed his company Vendors Unlimited in 1948. It provided a full line of vending supplies including beverages, snacks and office coffee. In 2006 Vendors Unlimited began selling coffee to convenience stores under the name Pronto Cafe, a premium coffee program. In 2008 Coremill Coffee, an in-house coffee brand, was developed.

In 2009 the decision was made to start a new roasting business. Eric Gantz and Mike Gantz, cousins, became co-owners of Verena Street Coffee Company. The company was located in a small building near the intersection of U. S. 52 and the Northwest Arterial, near where Verena Street was once located. In 2010 Verena Street branding and product development began. Roasting equipment was obtained and put in place. Production began in late December with products due for delivery in January, 2011.

Pepsi bottled by Lime Rock with paper label.

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Source:

Obituaries, John J. Gantz, Jr. Telegraph Herald, July 28, 2005

Schmidt, Eileen Mozinski, "Back to the Grind," Telegraph Herald, Dec. 26, 2010