Vess Billion Bubble Beverages Tin Menu Board, 1950

This Vess Soda Menu Board tin advertising sign is from the 1950’s and would have been used in a small diner to help advertise their daily specials.   The owner could simply use chalk to insert the words, and then erase for the next day’s menu.  The Vess Soda company was founded in 1916 and was a soft drink brand manufactured in St. Louis, Mo. At that time they primarily distributed their products throughout the Midwest. The Vess trademark name came from the nickname of the original company founder, Sylvester Jones.

Another Vess beverage, Whistle Orange Soda was debuted in 1925. However, the Vess logo was on the other soda flavors.  The company had a difficult time after the Stock Market Crash in 1929 and eventually was sold to Donald Schneebarger. Schneebarger promoted a brand new line of flavors that helped turn the Vess Soda company around. Vess is currently owned by Cott Beverages. Their advertising slogan is still  “The Billion Bubble Beverage”.

Vess flavors include their main cola, cream sodas, fruit flavors, and its orange soft drink, Whistle. Vess-Up is their lemon-lime flavor.