Bronx News Roundup, September 30

Yesterday, the New York Times detailed the conflict between Related Companies and the Kingsbridge Armory Redevelopment Alliance (KARA) over the proposed supermarket at the Kingsbridge Armory. In the article, a representative for Related said that the developer was not going to let the supermarket issue end the plans for the armory, but he insisted that Related would not give in to KARA's demand for a living wage requirement.

Thirsty for a taste of the Bronx? Try Bronx Pop-- Bronx BP Ruben Diaz's soda of choice, according to the New York Daily News. For more information on Bronx Pop, check out our blog posting on the product published two weeks ago.

Last Friday, Stella D'Oro factory workers picketed outside of Goldman Saks, an investor in Lance Inc. (the owner of the factory), and then marched to City Hall in an effort to keep the cookie factory in Kingsbridge. Lance Inc. recently announced that they plan on closing the Bronx factory and moving production to Ohio.

A survey done by the US census bureau found that the Bronx continues to be the poorest urban county in the country. According to the survey, 380,000 Bronx residents live below the poverty line.

Happy Anniversary BronxTalk! The show will celebrate its 15th anniversary next Monday with a special hour-long episode. For more information on the show's history, click here.

Soda With a Bronx Name

Nicholas D'Aragona, a long-time Belmont resident who now lives in Dutchess County, used to be in the olive oil and pasta importing business. That was until he and a partner decided to try something a little different. Their soda company, Bronx Pop, was born early this year.

“There’s never been a soda out of the Bronx before,” says a proud D'Aragona, who was offering free samples at Sunday’s Ferragosto celebration on Arthur Avenue.

Flavors include black cherry, root beer, lemon lime-ricky, and orange cream. According to D'Aragona, Bronx Pop is a “premium soda” – cane sugar is used instead of high-fructose corn syrup, there’s no caffeine, and the sodium content is low. The company's slogan: "Old Time Flavor, Old Time Taste."

"There is a lot of Bronx pride right now," says D'Aragona. "People are really starting to love the Bronx. I think the [Bronx Pop] branding is going to open a lot of doors."

He added: "I've put everything I have into this. I know I've got a winner, I just have to be patient."

The soda is brewed and bottled in New England, but D'Aragona hopes to one day open a plant in its namesake borough.

You can buy it at more than a hundred stores and restaurants in the Bronx and beyond. For more, here's Bronx Pop's Web site.