![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.aaronkuehn.net\/tol\/wp-content\/uploads\/2012\/07\/BWSodaFountain.jpg\" "\\"BWSodaFountain\\"")
<\/a>Beverage refills used to cost extra.<\/p>\nYes, it’s true. Many of today\u2019s kids don\u2019t remember a time when drink refills weren\u2019t free. That’s right punks, we used to pay our buck for a Coke and when that one was gone, if we were still gripped by the dusty fist of thirst, we had to, gasp, pay another buck!<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know when it happened, but it sure seemed to take hold overnight. One day Coke and Pepsi were duking it out with taste-test challenges all over the country, the next day they were all but giving it way. And oh, what a blessed thing it was!<\/p>\n
In the old days when we\u2019d order our favorite carbonated beverage to go with our our deep-fried mushrooms, we\u2019d get our beverage but if we wanted more we, brace for it, HAD TO PAY EXTRA! I am not lying to you. I swear, I am not! Of course you had to be really thirsty to justify the expense so I don\u2019t think too many people did it. I know I\u2019d try to pace myself and ration the goodness that is a fountain-served Coca-Cola. Then I’d turn to the free water to handle the critical thirst-quenching duties.<\/p>\n
My experience with the restaurant carbonated beverage goes back to last days when the flavoring syrup was mixed with soda water right at the counter. The Carousel ice cream joint on Main Street in Kalamazoo, MI as well as the Spayde’s Pharmacy lunch counter in Gobles, MI held on to the old ways as long as they could. At The Carousel a big red Coca-Cola contraption sat upon the counter and Dorothy, the proprietor, had to pour the thick Coca-Cola syrup into one section and soda water into another. (On some occasions she’d re-sell just the syrup to those suffering from a sore throat — on a doctor’s order only). She pulled the lever on the machine and the two fluids would mix and you’d have yourself a cool eight ounces to go with your hot dog (hold the relish, please).<\/p>\n
It was pricey stuff. I don’t remember how much Dorothy was charging for a Coke, but once your measly glass was empty, you had to pony up some more coin if you wanted another. Today the waitress at Pizza Hut brings you a brand-new 164-ounce flagon of Pepsi after you’ve only but glanced at your current supply.<\/p>\n
I don\u2019t know the financial model behind all of this. Of course they\u2019ve been giving away condiments, as well as salt and pepper, all along. So why not the beverages? But if you\u2019re going to go that far why not give me another three ounces of sirloin if the first eight didn\u2019t quite fill me up?<\/p>\n
When I put myself in the shoes of the restaurant owner I just can\u2019t make it add up. Apart from giving away the added beverage I\u2019ve also increased my labor costs. Wilma the waitress now has to make repeated trips back to give all the teenagers in your brood countless refills on their Mountain Dews. That\u2019s time Wilma can\u2019t be upselling table five to add the grilled onions to their steak or order up a hot fudge sundae. And don\u2019t even get me started on the increased ice expense!<\/p>\n
Now I\u2019m sure there are those who are cynical enough to think that they\u2019ve just watered-down the beverages so it all works out. I\u2019m sure that may have happened, but they couldn\u2019t water it down too much \u2013 the soda junkies of the world would notice. At a minimum there’s some color in there and that’s gotta cost something.<\/p>\n