Our Legacy Brands
The Grapette Story
Deep in the soul of every veteran soft drink connoisseur may be a little six-ounce bottle of Grapette soda. Spunky little Grapette from Camden, Arkansas — the bright purple star of the South — flashed across the nation throughout the 40s, 50s, and 60s before seemingly vanishing overnight. Now, more than 80 years later, people all across America are able to quench their thirst for Grapette and Orangette, and it never could have happened without the help of another famous Arkansas company — Walmart Stores, Inc.
Keep reading …
Our Timeline
1940: The Grapette Company begins selling Grapette soda.
1944: Grapette soda is sold internationally, specifically in Central and South America.
1947: Orangette soda becomes available.
1939
1939
1940: The Grapette Company begins selling Grapette soda.
1944: Grapette soda is sold internationally, specifically in Central and South America.
1947: Orangette soda becomes available.
1950: Grapette soda is produced by more than 300 bottlers in 42 states, with sales exceeding the combined sales of all other grape flavored soft drinks.
1950s
1950s
1950: Grapette soda is produced by more than 300 bottlers in 42 states, with sales exceeding the combined sales of all other grape flavored soft drinks.
1962: Grapette International, Inc. organized to handle franchising and sales overseas. In addition to Latin America, sales eventually expand to Caribbean and Pacific Rim countries.
1960s
1960s
1962: Grapette International, Inc. organized to handle franchising and sales overseas. In addition to Latin America, sales eventually expand to Caribbean and Pacific Rim countries.
1970: The Grapette Company is sold. Grapette International, Inc. maintains production and use of the original formulas.
1977: Through series of acquisitions, the Grapette brand becomes controlled by the manufacturer of rival Nu-Grape.
1970s
1970s
1970: The Grapette Company is sold. Grapette International, Inc. maintains production and use of the original formulas.
1977: Through series of acquisitions, the Grapette brand becomes controlled by the manufacturer of rival Nu-Grape.
1980s: Derived from the original Grapette Company formulas, Grapette International begins producing franchise-quality soft drink flavors for other brands.
1980s
1980s
1980s: Derived from the original Grapette Company formulas, Grapette International begins producing franchise-quality soft drink flavors for other brands.
1993: Wal-Mart selects flavors by Grapette International to use in some of the Sam's Choice signature brand of soft drinks.
2000: Grapette International re-acquires Grapette and Orangette trademarks, reuniting the formulas with their brand names.
2004: Sam's Choice Grapette and Sam's Choice Orangette become available exclusively in Wal-Mart.
1990s
2005
1990s
1993: Wal-Mart selects flavors by Grapette International to use in some of the Sam's Choice signature brand of soft drinks.
2000: Grapette International re-acquires Grapette and Orangette trademarks, reuniting the formulas with their brand names.
2004: Sam's Choice Grapette and Sam's Choice Orangette become available exclusively in Wal-Mart.
2005
Memory Lane
"Grapette and I are the same age. When I was a kid and even up into my teens we would see who could drink the little bottle in the fewest swallows. We would choke, hack, spit and have Grapette running out our noses and down on our clothes. Our mothers didn't like that, but hey, it was the best tasting drink around and it was fun. I still have a couple of the small bottles, empty, but they bring back memories every time I look at them."
Phil-
"Nothing can compare to reaching down into that old metal cooler filled with ice, water and soda.... bringing up a Grapette, snapping off the lid and guzzling down half a bottle before taking a breath! Yes, at 53, I can still remember how good that tasted."
Sharon -
"One of the best treats I can remember, is my friend's dad taking us by the local train station every Sunday after church... and we would each get a Grapette. That was in the 1950s. With today's many different soft drinks, non compare, in my eyes, to Grapette."
Diana -
"Growing up in North Carolina the 50's and 60's, Grapette was always my 'drink of choice' after a hot day of working the hay fields and tobacco fields. So glad to see someone is keeping the tradition and great taste alive!"
Write your caption hereE. Lawrence -
"As a child we would go as a family to a restaurant called Red Caps, an old barbeque restaurant that cooked on an old iron stove and used actual wood. Minded I am only 51. This was the best place with creaky wooden floors and plastic booths with jukeboxes on the table. They had a Grapette Cooler and they cost 5 cents. I loved them."
Write your caption hereMartha -
"When I was about 3 or 4 years old, my daddy and I would each have a Grapette. I would drink some of mine and Daddy would just take a sip of his. Then he would ask me if I wanted to trade. Of course, I did. Whenever I think of Grapette, I think of my daddy and how he spoiled me and shared his Grapette with me."
Write your caption hereCarolyn
Where to buy Grapette
Grapette and Orangette are available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide. Enjoy the classic flavors you remember, Thirsty or Not!
Where to buy Grapette
Grapette and Orangette are available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide. Enjoy the classic flavors you remember, Thirsty or Not!
Where to buy Grapette
Grapette and Orangette are available exclusively at Walmart stores nationwide. Enjoy the classic flavors you remember, Thirsty or Not!
