Indictment of Coke, Pepsi and big business… an incredible video.

Published on August 30th, 2009

At Spicer’s deli we only sold sodas with real sugar so there was no Coke or Pepsi (but Mexican Coke, yes) along with obscurities like the ones described here. People loved good soda.

61 users responded in " Indictment of Coke, Pepsi and big business… an incredible video. "

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# 1 Martfin said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:37 pm

I only drink Coke with real sugar. The Mexican supermarket close to where I live has it so once a week is a bottle of Real Coke. Then when I was back in the UK I got thirsty one night, went to the fridge and checked the back of the coke can and it said sugar. I was in heaven for 2 weeks. No HFCS for me.

# 2 bobbo, love niche markets said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:42 pm

This store is in Los Angeles. Gotta stop by and get every kind of Root Beer they have.

http://sodapopstop.com/

# 3 Ron Larson said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

This store in just NE of downtown Los Angeles, near South Pasadena and Eagle Rock.

5702 York Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90042

http://sodapopstop.com/

# 4 sargasso said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:50 pm

America needs it’s “food heroes”, like that guy in the video.

# 5 Father Tomb said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:56 pm

I can’t click on the video; is my problem the video or my Crapple Iphone?

# 6 Johnny said, on August 30th, 2009 at 1:58 pm

I like this guy.
I like this store.
I wish I was in LA.

# 7 joe said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:00 pm

OMG… every city should have a guy like this!

# 8 neven said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:02 pm

Awesome video. I wish that guy was my grandfather. Can you imagine growing up as a kid with all that soda?

I cut HFCS out of my diet 2 years ago and I feel so much better. We need more folks like this.

And yeah, Mexican Coke is all I can get around here.

# 9 FumbleHead said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:07 pm

Come on up to Canada where Pepsi and Coke are still made with cane sugar.

# 10 deej said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:15 pm

Was able to score a CASE of Mexican Coke at Costco a few weeks ago and now ration out a couple bottles a week for the kids – they love it. Also, my local Kroger sells bottles of it in the “Mexican” food section for about $2 a bottle – as much as a 2 liter of the fructose crap but well worth it…

# 11 Lenscap said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

Wow I was suprised how much I enjoyed this.

# 12 Skippy said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:16 pm

#9 are you sure? I was under the impression this was not the case. I’ll have to check the label next time I’m in the store.

The Pop Shoppe cola (the company has resurfaced, by the way, under new ownership) kicks Pepsi and Coke’s ass.

# 13 noname said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

Screw globalization.

If American expects to survive into the future with American values it will need more places like this and not just for food stuff.

# 14 bobbo, everything actually is relative said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

“Indictment of Coke, Pepsi and big business… ” /// It was? I thought Coke and Pepsi had 112% of the market? The indictment is that non HFCS can’t compete?

What am I missing?

# 15 eggman9713 said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:26 pm

#12. He (#9) speaks the truth. I live in WA and occasionally WinCo (western grocery chain) gets Canadian Coke and Pepsi with real sugar. And whenever I go to a video gaming convention in Spokane or Seattle, invariably someone from Canada brings about 5 cases of the stuff and sells the cans to attendees at cost during the LAN parties and stuff.

# 16 ECA said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

choice..
GIVE IT BACK..

# 17 DA said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:28 pm

This is not an indictment of Pepsi or coke or even Big business.

If anything this is an indictment of corn subsidies and sugar tariffs/subsidies.

We wouldn’t have nearly as many corn based products if it weren’t for government sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.

# 18 kyle defacis said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:46 pm

A unique product that meets a nice demand and a passionate owner, this man should be very successful.

# 19 Mac Guy said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:51 pm

That guy is absolutely awesome. I wish he had a store out here in NC.

I’m originally from Wisconsin, and my eyes nearly jumped out of my head when he mentioned Sprecher. Sprecher is, without a doubt, the finest root beer I’ve ever tasted. It’s smooth and doesn’t have the harsh flavor that Mug’s, Barq’s or A&W have. They sell it in 16 ounce bottles, not 12. Absolutely delicious. They also make a great cream soda, and their Ravin’ Red is pretty great, too.

# 20 Mac Guy said, on August 30th, 2009 at 2:52 pm

Also, I recently went to Argentina, where they only sell Coke and Pepsi using the real sugar. None of that high-fructose corn syrup crap that they sell here. Fortunately, Pepsi is doing its Throwback where they use real cane sugar, and I hope they stick with it. It’s a sweeter taste, but in a softer way when compared to the “regular” stuff.

# 21 bill said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:00 pm

Now if we could get the small bottles again… we would really have something special…

I won’t drink the HFCS anything ever again.

We had really lost something there.

Use the corn syrup to make gas

# 22 Nik (noC) said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:04 pm

Tried “Pepsi natural” in a glass bottle today, real sugar. exceptional! Give it a shot.

# 23 Mac Guy said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

Unfortunately, I don’t think we’ll see a permanent, wide-sweeping change back to glass bottles anytime soon. Plastic is cheaper, and is much less dangerous for the drivers than glass bottles. My father used to drive for Coca-Cola, and he quit due to its “hazardous work environment.” Instead, he became a cop.

It’s gotta be pretty bad when being a cop is a safer job than driving a Coca-Cola truck.

# 24 GlowingApple said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:11 pm

#19, Mac Guy

+1 for Ravin’ Red. One of my favorites!

# 25 Mac Guy said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:13 pm

#24 – Oh man, TELL me about it! Real cherries + real cranberries = real yum.

You can get it online at http://www.sprecherbrewery.com/

My parents just came down to visit a few weeks ago, and they brought two 24-bottle cases of the root beer with them. I’m in heaven.

# 26 Bubba Ray said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:31 pm

You can still get real sugar Dr. Pepper in Texas. Nothing like that corn syrup stuff.

# 27 SimonSez said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

The Pepsi Throwback was great while it lasted.

# 28 Floyd said, on August 30th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

I miss the old brands this guy sells. If he could establish himself in bigger cities and towns, the cane sugar pops alone could knock Coke and Pepsi off the shelves. I don’t want to live in LA, but this might be a reason to visit sometime.

# 29 Rick Cain said, on August 30th, 2009 at 4:20 pm

There must be some sort of corn syrup conspiracy. I found some Blue Sky Cola for sale at a health food store that had sugar and no caffeine, it was wonderful!

I went to few grocerie stores looking for it, and the exact same brand was there, but mysteriously it had corn syrup and caffeine in it, but it looked identical other than the ingredient list.
Since then I haven’t found the caffeine free sugar version any where.

# 30 Faxon said, on August 30th, 2009 at 4:33 pm

Well, Obama wants to tax the hell out of sodas, correct? Because they are not politically correct. Fuck him and his people, and get me an In and Out Cheeseburger to go with some of this real soda pop. For all of you who wish there was a place like that in your town, can you see an opportunity or not? This guy does not MAKE the stuff, he retails it!

# 31 ArianeB said, on August 30th, 2009 at 4:34 pm

#17 “This is not an indictment of Pepsi or coke or even Big business.

If anything this is an indictment of corn subsidies and sugar tariffs/subsidies.

We wouldn’t have nearly as many corn based products if it weren’t for government sticking their nose where it doesn’t belong.”

Which in turn is an indictment of the corn industries lobbyist demanding that government stick their nose where it doesn’t belong.

If it weren’t for sugar tariffs, corn syrup, corn production subsidies, ethanol mandates (don’t get me started on corn ethanol, its a junk product), the corn industry would be unprofitable and not nearly as big — which is probably what it should be.

# 32 Greg Allen said, on August 30th, 2009 at 4:55 pm

Wow, this guy is fantastic!

I don’t even like sodas very much and he made me want to go to his store and buy some!

# 33 bobbo, its a niche player for a reason said, on August 30th, 2009 at 5:07 pm

The cause celeb for the moment. What a bunch of sheeple.

Whats the worst thing in the American diet? Ok–its HFCS, I grant you. But what is NO 2? Thats right my toothless silly nillys===SUGAR!!!!!!

You know, if you clean your system out so that your taste buds have a chance==a nice glass of water can almost taste “sweet.” Soda Pop is for children.

Next up, lets have a video on how butter is so much better than trans fat.

# 34 Craig said, on August 30th, 2009 at 5:10 pm

Anyone into cola should go out on try Pepsi Natural. It’s really good. Not as good Curiosity Cola but not $3.75 a bottle either.

http://pepsiproductfacts.com/infobyproduct.php?prod_size=12&brand_fam_id=1051&brand_id=1000&product=Pepsi+Natural

# 35 bobbo, not wanting to be a hypocrit said, on August 30th, 2009 at 5:24 pm

We eat a lot of pancakes at our house. Alternate between buckwheat and rolled oats. Go thru a lot of sugar so I make it as needed. 2 Cups Cane Sugar to 2 Cups Water, a little Molasses or Brown Sugar for color and taste, a little honey to get rid of it as we have bees. Then add maple extract and you’ve made good syrup for 1/3 the cost of store bought.

Sure wish I could just pour some nice fresh sweet water on those pancakes. Syrup is for children.

# 36 Tomas said, on August 30th, 2009 at 5:50 pm

This will be like microbrewed beers, the people’s tastes buds are finally waking up. Long live independant thought!!!!

# 37 McCullough said, on August 30th, 2009 at 6:00 pm

Zuberfizz here in Colorado. Good Stuff.

# 38 wmjcollins said, on August 30th, 2009 at 6:01 pm

They sell Kickapoo joy juice. all kinds of sodas and obscure beers, check it out.

# 39 BigBoyBC said, on August 30th, 2009 at 6:10 pm

Finally, something I have first-hand experience with…
I go to Galco’s a couple times a month, it’s a great place, nothing fancy, but the selection on sodas is fantastic.

Warning! If you go there, clean out the trunk and take plenty of money, because its easy to blow a chunck of cash.

Even though their address says Los Angeles it’s more like Highland Park. For those who can’t go there, go to their website:

http://sodapopstop.com/

Enjoy!

# 40 Lou Minatti said, on August 30th, 2009 at 6:33 pm

Coffee soda sounds really good.

# 41 modeltweaker said, on August 30th, 2009 at 7:04 pm

Galco’s is awesome! We drive 60 miles once a month to buy soda. My favorites are original Dr. Pepper in the 7 oz bottle and Bubble-up. My daughter loves the old time candy you just can’t find anywhere else. It’s truly a treat every trip. This video gave me even more reasons not to buy the commercial garbage in the plastic bottles. If you’re old enough to have grown up on soda made with sugar you probably know the difference. If not you really should try for yourself. If your near LA a road trip to Galco’s is well worth the effort.

# 42 lou said, on August 30th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

Sugar hit a 28 year high on Aug 28/09 on the futures market.
This guy prices are high and looks like they will be going higher.

# 43 Hugh Ripper said, on August 30th, 2009 at 11:17 pm

It nice to know people like this fellah are still out there and that stores such as this are still viable. I’d pay more just to buy off guys like this.

# 44 Ah_Yea said, on August 30th, 2009 at 11:30 pm

“Soda Pop is for children”

Count me in!

# 45 ECA said, on August 30th, 2009 at 11:54 pm

If you listen CLOSE,
About the Corn syrup..
1 of the ONLY nations to use it, Isss?? the USA.
AND the USA has an embargo/LARGE tariff on IMPORTED Sugar cane, any from ANY SOURCE except Hawaii..

# 46 mr. show said, on August 31st, 2009 at 1:33 am

#45 USA as the heavy/sole user of corn syrup? Maybe so.

There’s a decent documentary called “King Corn” that explores the changes made by Nixon’s Secretary of Agriculture to make Corn the “it” crop of the USA. Make it cheap and make lots of it was the philosophy.

On one hand, we get cheap food for the masses but on the other, we get that at quite a price (corn has no real nutritional value; increased numbers of those who are overweight and borderline diabetic).

Anyway, this was an excellent video and I’m happy that my state (Oklahoma) has a similar store that’s a little out of my way but might be worth looking into (Pops on Route 66). I scoffed at the idea of a soda store every time I passed the sign to Pops (usually it was on the way to see the in-laws) but after seeign the passion of the guy on the video, I’m sold on his vision. Sure it may be sugared water but he makes it sound like something special (and those independent businesses are!).

# 47 ECA said, on August 31st, 2009 at 2:43 am

#46..
You got 1/2 of it..

The body is interesting.
It KNOWS what it wants, and will FORCE you to find it. The problem is That it CANT GET you to EAT IT…so you eat everything you can…

Then comes the funny FATS..(not REAL/Natuaral fats) there IS’ on the market a frying material called Liquid plastic…FULLY digestible PLASTIC.
NOT REALLY, it just dont STICK to anything internally, and is SUPPOSED to exit the body and leave nothing behind..Interesting, AS the body WANTS something but got NOTHING..so we EAT MORE.

# 48 Salvatori said, on August 31st, 2009 at 3:28 am

#33 Cavities are caused by bacteria that eat various carbohydrates on your teeth, not just sugar alone. Processed breads and other starchy products can be just as bad for your teeth. Just brush your teeth after eating/drinking.

Sprecher’s Root Beer (haven’t had their others so I can’t say) contains HFCS. Very flat flavor, too.

# 49 BoroTech said, on August 31st, 2009 at 7:08 am

JCD,
I’m sorry to see the Deli is closed. I wish your family the best.
– Thomas

# 50 chuck said, on August 31st, 2009 at 7:39 am

I don’t see this as an indictment of Coke or Pepsi. Both have been successful at marketing a product that many people seem to like.

It is an indictment of the corn syrup lobby, and the corn-growers lobby. These are the same people who have convinced Congress that ethanol (from corn) is a good idea – even though it costs more than gasoline and uses more energy than gasoline to produce.

# 51 noname said, on August 31st, 2009 at 9:07 am

# 50 chuck

“successful at marketing a product that many people seem to like.”

To the un-initiated, successful marketing implys people (the market) experienced all others competitors products and choose Coke or Pepsi.

We know that is false.

As this stores shows, in it’s simple, people way, when the American freedom of choice is allowed to flourish, people (the market) will not chuse Coke or Pepsi.

# 52 Uncle Don said, on August 31st, 2009 at 9:59 am

I’d like to taste Vernor’s Ginger Ale again with Stevia as its sweetener — like it used to be sweetened with.

# 53 chuck said, on August 31st, 2009 at 10:22 am

#52 – successful marketing means that people buy your product and that you have convinced many other people to sell your product. It doesn’t mean you have a good product, or that you have given people a choice. (i.e MS-Windows)

# 54 raddad said, on August 31st, 2009 at 10:49 am

I get a kick out of people who prefer “real” sugar. Cane sugar is sucrose and is no more natural than fructose which is common in most fruit such as apples and bananas. Sucrose is composed of two sugars, glucose and fructose.

HFCS is sucrose that has been partially separated into fructose and glucose (because it is sweeter than sucrose). This is the identical thing that happens when bees make honey and what happens when we digest sucrose. When we consume “real” sugar we are consuming fructose.

//Am a chemist.
//Science spoils all the fun.

# 55 Dale said, on August 31st, 2009 at 11:48 am

Great post!

# 56 ECA said, on August 31st, 2009 at 12:20 pm

#50
the problem goes much deeper if you think about ALL products.
Do you know how many different tomatoes there are?
How about Onions?
FEW stores market more then 3-4 types of apples.

I see more adverts for CEREAL and the price is threw the roof for 10-14oz. And looking at MALT-O-MEAL, the only reason for the higher price is PROFIT. And if you read the label, you will wonder where the GRAINS went.

# 57 gmknobl said, on August 31st, 2009 at 1:50 pm

He’s doing a good job but he’s wrong on a few points.

One is “big business loves big government.” Not true. Big business likes corrupt and fascist government (by definition). Proper big government won’t ever restrain the little business but will promote it over big business. That’s a thing most non-historians of government, or people who take their talking points from FOX won’t ever understand.

# 58 noname said, on August 31st, 2009 at 8:11 pm

# 53 chuck,

Unfortunately that is the current operative definition of marketing.

“It doesn’t mean you have a good product”

Luckily Galco’s doesn’t seem to be an adherent to your definition.

Since it seems, very evidently, that Galco’s customers feel Coke or Pepsi do not have a “good product” thereby Galco is in business.

# 59 deowll said, on August 31st, 2009 at 8:14 pm

I would love to have store like that near me.

# 60 888 said, on September 1st, 2009 at 12:17 pm

HFCS vs Sugar (or govt subsidized crops vs non-subsidized crops).
Thats the only issue I see here.

What indictment?!
Let our govt subsidize sugar from now on, and all Big Corporations will switch to using sugar in a heartbeat. There’s no indictments, no conspiracies in it. It’s called business (aka PROFIT).
Same goes with “recycling” (note I used quotes because our recucling programs have nothing to do with real recycling, aka reusing).

Costs of 1 day war in Iraq probably would cover entire nation’s recycle costs. Get your priorities straight, Americans, before talking cheap.

I like the old chap in the video, but he says lot of BS there. Still – props to him for bringing a lot of unknown sodas to his local market. Hopefully his business is succesfuil.

# 61 Uncle Don said, on September 1st, 2009 at 3:00 pm

#53:

The US Gov’t prevented Vernor’s (and other companies) from putting Stevia in their product soon after Ronald Reagan was inaugurated.

Rumor had it that ADM (big corn company) confronted the FDA head and suggested he’d be out of a job unless he banned Stevia in favor of corn syrup.

Vernor’s was said to have a very unique flavor before the ban. It had nothing to do with what the customer’s wanted.

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