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.
