Norka Root Beer
The Norka Beverage Company was started in Akron, Ohio, in 1924, and was founded by Jacob Paquin (The name Norka is actually Akron spelled backwards). Paquin was prompted to start the company after prohibition went into effect in 1920.
The first factory was located at 608 Spicer Street in Akron. The plant was a two-story building covering some 25,000 square feet. The company had more than 50 employees, and operated a fleet of 15 trucks.
Norka was sold primarily in a six-county area surrounding Akron, and was a favorite among the locals. Towards the late 1930’s, Norka Beverage Company had increased their production to the point where they could fill one thousand wooden cases a day, equaling about twenty-four thousand bottles of soda. Production halted in 1962, however, after nearly 40 years in the business.
It wasn’t until 2014 when Michael Considine, who was working in the financial services industry at the time, found an old Norka bottle and wanted to bring the brand back to life. Considine had clients in his business that worked in the beverage industry, and those relationships enabled him to establish contacts and develop a supplier base as he developed his new company to revive the brand.
After six months of paperwork and flavor-testing, Considine was able to resurrect Norka Soda to the delight of locals who are proud to have their city’s beverage back! He has since quit his job and is devoting full time towards the growth and success of the company.
From the company’s website and http://sites.jcu.edu/
NORKA production vats at 608 Spicer Street, Akron, OH
Norka Bottle-washing Machine
