NEHI Bottling Co. - Famous Flavored Soft Drink - 1956-58 dated Mississippi Check

Check issued by the Merchants & Manufacturers Bank in Ellisville, Mississippi. Nehi, pronounced "knee high," is a flavored soft drink that was first introduced in the United States in 1924 by Chero-Cola/Union Bottle Works. The brand name "Nehi Corporation" was established in 1928, following the growing popularity of its fruit-flavored sodas. In 1955, the company rebranded itself as Royal Crown Company, capitalizing on the success of its RC Cola product line. The founder, Claud A. Hatcher, was a grocer from Columbus, Georgia, who began his venture into bottling ginger ale and root beer in 1905. In April 2008, Nehi became part of the Dr Pepper Snapple Group, which is now known as Keurig Dr Pepper.

The Chero-Cola company expanded its soda offerings in 1924 by introducing Nehi Cola, aiming to provide a wider selection of flavors. This included varieties such as orange, grape, root beer, and peach, among others. Nehi quickly gained popularity, surpassing Chero-Cola in sales. The company adopted the name Nehi Corporation in 1928 and was subsequently listed on the New York Curb Exchange. However, in 1930, the company faced significant challenges as the Great Depression took hold, leading to a decline in sales by $1 million from a peak of $3.7 million the previous year. Sales continued to fall until 1932, marking the only year in which the company reported a financial loss.