В Нью-Берне открыт музей «Рождение Пепси», посвященный истокам легендарного бренда

NEW BERN, N.C. (WTVD) -- Long before Pepsi became one of the world's most recognizable beverage brands, it started as a simple drink mixed by a pharmacist in downtown New Bern. Today, visitors can step inside the Birthplace of Pepsi, a historic site that celebrates the North Carolina roots of the global soft drink giant. The story begins in 1898, when local pharmacist Caleb Bradham created a carbonated drink in his pharmacy. Originally known as "Brad's Drink," it was designed to aid digestion and quickly gained popularity among customers. "In 1898, Caleb Bradham, who was a local pharmacist right here in this very location, created his internationally famous drink, Pepsi-Cola," said Sabrina Bengel, managing partner of the Birthplace of Pepsi. Bradham later renamed the drink Pepsi-Cola, drawing from the word dyspepsia, which refers to indigestion. "The name comes from the word dyspepsia, which means digestion," Bengel said. The business grew rapidly. Between 1898 and 1910, Bradham expanded Pepsi-Cola to 250 franchises across 24 states. But soaring sugar prices following World War I created financial challenges that eventually forced him into bankruptcy in 1923. Despite those setbacks, the brand survived through a series of owners before eventually becoming Pepsi known around the world today. The original New Bern location now serves as part museum and part gift shop, making it a popular stop for Pepsi enthusiasts. Visitors can browse historical exhibits, purchase Pepsi-themed merchandise and learn about the company's beginnings in eastern North Carolina. "We have gifts and other Pepsi-branded items. We just really want you to come in and enjoy what we think is a local favorite," Bengel said. The attraction welcomes tens of thousands of visitors each year, drawing Pepsi fans from across the country and beyond. More than a century after its creation, Pepsi has grown into a global brand, but its story began in a small North Carolina pharmacy. "We could not be prouder of the fact, as New Bernians, that this was born right here in our very backyard," Bengel said.