Cheerwine buys Concord-based Sun Drop Bottling franchise rights

CONCORD, N.C. — Concord-based Sun Drop Bottling Company will close its doors after more than 60 years of business after being sold in a deal to Cheerwine Bottling Group.

The sale went into effect Thursday, Dec. 1 and sources said Sun Drop CEO John King told employees on Wednesday, Nov. 30.

The transition means Sun Drop will no longer distribute its product in Cabarrus, Iredell, Rowan and Stanly counties. Instead, Cheerwine will send out the soda.

"As we look forward to Cheerwine's 100^th anniversary next year in its birthplace and home of Salisbury, N.C., we're excited to deepen our distribution relationship with Sun Drop here in North Carolina," says Cliff Ritchie, president of Piedmont Cheerwine Bottling Co. "Both iconic soft drinks have much in common, from their loyal followings to their southern roots, and we've enjoyed helping to bring Sun Drop to Carolinians for a while now."

Cheerwine is currently accepting applications from all Sun Drop employees, and is actively interviewing to fill positions.

Sun Drop opened in Concord in 1954 at 360 Old Salisbury-Concord Road with Bill and Margaret King as owners. The Kings kept the company in the family, distributing the soda in Cabarrus, Iredell, Rowan and Stanly counties.

Sun Drop has been a staple for soda drinkers in Cabarrus County since the 1950s and the company has been in the bottling business since 1904.

Sun Drop is the second major long-time Cabarrus business to be sold this year. In August, S&D Coffee and Tea announced it was being purchased by Cott Corporation.

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