Harry Kandel and Harry Gordon billed themselves as the successors to George Bennett’s long time Far Rockaway soda business.
The following article appeared in the April 8, 1920 edition of the Wave. It appears introductory in nature and implies that this would be their first summer season.
Kandel &Gordon, the successors of George Bennett in the old established bottling and mineral water works propose keeping fully abreast of the times in using appliances and methods which are the latest to be devised in this now important industry, and they are getting into readiness to handle a tremendous business during the coming season. Every indication is that they will be severely taxed despite their extensive facilities, but they propose to make superior goods and dependable service their first and consistant policy no matter what conditions confront them. Their business experience and code of policies assure customers of Kandel & Gordon the best that is obtainable in that line.
Short-lived, the business only operated under the Kandel & Gordon name for three, maybe four years. They were listed in the Brooklyn and Queens section of the February, 1920 NY Telephone Directory and in the 1922 Copartnership and Corporation Directory for Brooklyn and Queens.
Advertisements in the Wave during the early twenties mentioned ginger ale, lemon and cream sodas.
On June 20, 1922 the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” reported that Kandel & Gordon was fined for using bottles owned by another business..
On complaint of Jacob Reiche of 267 Weather St., Brooklyn, an inspector of the Long Island Bottlers Association, two beverage dealers of Rockaway Beach were arraigned before Magistrate Dale in Far Rockaway court yesterday, charged with using bottles and syphons of the George Schneider Company, 181-183 Stockholm St., Brooklyn, for their own products. They were Harry Kandel, 35, of 149 Beach 92nd St., Rockaway Beach, charged with having 182 bottles owned by the Schneider company in his possession in a barn in the rear of 317 Kane Ave., Rockaway Beach, and Harry Gordon of 147 Beach 86th St., Rockaway Beach, charged with having 28 bottles in his possession. The men were ordered to pay a fine of 50 cents each per bottle, making a total fine of $91 imposed upon Kandel and $14 upon Gordon.
By October, 1924 the Brooklyn Queens directory listed the firm as Gordon & Hoffman. Gordon & Hoffman was still listed in the 1932 Directory of New York State Manufacturers on Beach 86th Street in Rockaway Beach after which I lose track of them.
The system of addresses has apparently changed because there’s no N on any Beach 86th St addresses. I assume the N meant north of Rockaway Beach Blvd. Most of this area today is residential. The most likely location of this business is at the very north end between Beach Channel Drive and Jamaica Bay.
I found one 8oz bottle. It’s machine made and that’s consistent with early 20’s manufacture.