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Stone Cold Coke on Morehead
by The Biscuit Staff on February 26, 2019
Welcome to another installment of “Uncommon Details.” When thinking about how many of us interact with the Queen City, we find truth the wise words of modern philosopher, Ferris Bueller: “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.”
Wise words. And, we here at The Biscuit are trying or best to live by them on your behalf. Instead of simply walking past (or zooming past at 100 miles an hour), we try to slow our roll so we can spot and highlight the little details that often get missed in Charlotte. Here’s one…
The former Charlotte Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant
1401-09 West Morehead Street
If you’ve seen the latest issue of American Way Magazine while flying to and from the Queen City, you may have seen an interview with The Biscuit’s co-founder, Matt Olin, on his love of the FreeMoreWest neighborhood. So, that got us out of the office and walking around the neighborhood to soak it all in. And, that’s when we saw for the first time a building we’ve already seen 10,000 times – the old Coca-Cola Bottling Company Plant.
The last time you whizzed by on your way to Pinky’s, Rhino Market, Town Brewing or Basal Coffee, did you notice that this incredible art deco building has stone Coke bottles adorning the corners facing Morehead Street? Or a vintage Coke ad adorning the side of the building? Or a laser-perfect Coca-Cola logo above the door? Before everyone was obsessed with brand, this building got it right.
Here are some facts about the building courtesy of a 1987 report by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Historic Landmarks Commission:
– The building was completed in 1930 and served as headquarters for Coca-Cola Bottling operations in Charlotte until 1974.
– It was designed by Marion Rossiter “Steve” Marsh, a prominent architect in the region.
– Its whimsical ornamental details were created by Ornamental Stone Company of Charlotte.
Take a look! Click the image below to “embiggen” them.
Click here to take a deeper drink of knowledge on this building.
Hey, Charlotte Eagle Eyes! Are there little details you see at play in Charlotte that you think we … and everyone else … should know about? Tell us at hello@charlotteiscreative.com
