Birth of the Kik Kola Company of Montreal

[bottlebugs]

In 1936 Kik was selling 30 oz generic bottles with patented labels and 7 oz America Dry bottles with Kik caps. By 1937 they were distributing nationwide. New bottles were commissioned using the new logo embossed the shoulder. America Dry was bottled by Kik. Kik was even being sold in the US using the same distinctive label.

By 1945 Orange Crush Company of Canada owned the whole lot.

In 1984 Kik and America Dry disappeared from store shelves.

 

[mctaggart67]

KIK was Canadian brewery mogul E.P. Taylor's entry into the soft drinks business after Canadian prohibition ended.

 

[bottlebugs]

I've heard that somewhere else before. What year was that? Kik was patented in NYC in 1936. I read on the Canadian Aerated Waters report that they officially opened in 1936 as the Kik Company in Montreal.

 

[bottlebugs]

I did some quick research. Seems E. P. Taylor was in control of Orange Crush. Orange Crush bought out Kik Company in 1945 so it does make some sense. He must have bought out the parent company, America Dry as well, as it was the patent holder for Kik in 1936. I was always wondering what happened to Golden Orange of Canada in Montreal too....Crushed I guess!! lmao!

 

[ICEMANGMC1947]

I HAVE A COUPLE OF THESE ALSO A COUPLE OF GURD SODA BOTTLES FROM CANADA AND THEY SAY ORANGE CRUSH CO.

 

[bottlebugs]

yes that's right! Gurd's was also bought out by Orange Crush not long after buying America Dry/Kik

 

[Historical-Info-Service]

I've heard that somewhere else before. What year was that? Kik was patented in NYC in 1936. I read on the Canadian Aerated Waters report that they officially opened in 1936 as the Kik Company in Montreal.


View attachment 255962

Kik Company began business in 1934, presumably operating out of the America Dry bottling plant at 3821 Rivard St. The Kik Company registered their Canadian trademark on April 10, 1935. By September 13, 1935 there were already 13 bottlers around Quebec, and the main plant had moved to a new larger location at 1387 Villeray St. The 1936 Aerated Waters report shows this address for Kik and no listing for America Dry (as it moved to that location as well). Kik was not a cola product at first - it was made from pure fruit juice and pure water. Kik was not patented in the US in 1936, the Canadian company America Dry registered the trademark there (after it was already established in Canada). I was unable to find any newspaper accounts of it ever actually being bottled or sold in the US. It was likely just a pre-emptive move in case they wished to expand in the future, which eventually occurred in 1941 when they opened their first US plant in Miami.

 

[bottlebugs]

Hi Gerry,

I would love to add your sources to my archives! I have had two American Kik bottles in the past. One from Portland MA and one from NYC. They are clearly marked. A bottle collector friend has the Portland one now, on his mantle place at home. There are also plenty of US signage and bottles, carrying cases too. Miami and NYC seemed to be their primary focus.

 

[bottlebugs]

Just two US examples. I tried to locate the Miami sign and an another bottle, 12 oz with Kik on shoulder, but they are archived. I'll post them when they show up again. I've seen the US wooden case and the 5 cent with South Carolina Tax paid bottle cap many times.

 

[bottlebugs]

Kik Company began business in 1934, presumably operating out of the America Dry bottling plant at 3821 Rivard St. The Kik Company registered their Canadian trademark on April 10, 1935. By September 13, 1935 there were already 13 bottlers around Quebec, and the main plant had moved to a new larger location at 1387 Villeray St. The 1936 Aerated Waters report shows this address for Kik and no listing for America Dry (as it moved to that location as well). Kik was not a cola product at first - it was made from pure fruit juice and pure water. Kik was not patented in the US in 1936, the Canadian company America Dry registered the trademark there (after it was already established in Canada), but there is no record of it ever actually being bottled or sold in the US. It was likely just a pre-emptive move in case they wished to expand in the future.