Presidential Polls Are Popping in RI

Hillary Clinton’s and Donald Trump’s race to the White House is already off to a wild and controversial start. Every day election polls between the two candidates change with the latest scandals and speeches. One particular century-old family-owned RI beverage company has started a poll of their own – a Soda Pop Poll.

“[During last year’s debates], Donald Trump kept talking about the polls, and suddenly it just hit me and I said to my wife, ‘We should do a poll!’” laughed John Sgambato.

Celebrating their 101^st year in business, the Sgambato Family’s Yacht Club Bottling Works has recently unveiled their limited time newest flavors:  Hillary’s Liberal Limeade and Donald’s Populist Punch. Shelves at their central store (2239 Mineral Spring Ave in Centredale) are now lined with Clinton’s Democratic blue-colored raspberry lime and Trump’s Republican-red fruit punch with a hint of strawberry and peach. Since their release, RI vendors have increased their demand and vendors as far away as California are showing interest.

“We’re sending out to all over the country, and we’re starting a small package mail order shipping for people that don’t want to buy a pallet at a time,” said John.

Artwork for the bottles was designed by local cartoonist and New England Press Award-winning Frankie Galasso, and it has both candidates standing along with each of their parties’ mascots. In a recent press release, Galasso identified himself as “a bit of a soda freak” who loves to support local businesses, such as Yacht Club. “It was fun to collaborate with John and create these wild caricatures with their animal companions,” he said.

“We really try to stay active in the community and we’re always doing events here and there,” said John as he described working with organizations such as Eat Drink RI and Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Ocean State.

Yacht Club’s sodas and seltzers come from locally pumped mineral water with 25 different flavors that are either sugar-free or infused with pure cane sugar, so no high fructose corn syrup. If you want to get your hands on some of these tasty collectibles, they are available now through November’s election at the company store Monday and Tuesday from 8am to 5pm, Wednesday through Friday from 8am to 6pm, and Saturdays from 8am to 3pm.

When asked about when the results of the Soda Pop Poll will be revealed, John said, “Hopefully on Election Day; we’re leaning toward saying who won our polls.” To keep up-to-date on the latest in their local artisan sodas and special events, go to yachtclubbottlingworks.com.