Jaffe & Co. - Seattle (1889-1915)
1/2 Gallon Whiskey
A 1/2 gallon fluted whiskey bottle from Jaffe & Co. 115-117 Second Ave. Seattle.
Established in Healdsburg, California on June 26, 1886 Mr. Louis Jaffe purchased the Pridham Vineyards comprising of 264 acres of wine and brandy grapes. The firm began business in Seattle on August 4, 1889, just months after the great fire had swept the city. Circumstances forced Jaffe to set up at a location on what was then known as Old Mill Street just above Third Avenue South in a 15x70 ft tent. It was around 1893 that the firm began to show up in city listings and its business was closely tied in with the Imperial Liquor Company whose owner was Joseph L. Jaffe. Throughout its existence it was both a retail and wholesale establishment located at 115-117 Second Avenue South. Jaffe & Co. also owned a saloon in Spokane and a retail/wholesale location from 1892-1915 which closed due to Prohibition.
Vertical Signage Photo
A photo of people crossing Second Ave S. with the Jaffe storefront sign in the background, just this side of the recently completed Smith Tower in Seattle (circa 1914).
115-117 Second Ave. Seattle - Today
Photo Courtesy: Google Street View
Langert - Tacoma, Wash (1881-1896)
Whiskey Bottle
A clear squat whiskey bottle - "Forest King - OPS Sole Agent Pacific Coast" from C. Langert of Tacoma, Wash. (circa 1895).
Charles Langert was a wholesale liquor dealer who started in Tacoma in 1881 when he acquired a storeroom and warehouse for liquor distribution. He was the sole agent for a variety of whiskey brands and had a great knowledge of foreign winegrowers and distillers which helped him build a quality stock and acquire a reputation known throughout the country. This business lasted until 1896 when he then concentrated his business efforts in Spokane.
The Langert Liquor Company began operation sometime in 1906 when he purchased the Kentucky Liquor Company located at 1130 Pacific. In later years, the firm was located at 1325 Broadway and lasted until Prohibition in 1915.
Artists Rendering
An artists rendering of the C. Langert storefront which was located at 1130 Pacific Ave. in Tacoma, Wash. (circa 1895).
1130 Pacific Ave. Tacoma, Wash -Today
Photo Courtesy: Google Street View
Spokane Soda Bottling Works - Spokane (1895-1915)
Seltzer Bottle
A cornflower blue seltzer bottle from the Spokane Soda Bottling Works of Spokane, Wash.
Sam W. Holland, owner of the Washington Liquor Co. was also owner of the Spokane Soda Bottling Works which was operated at the same address from 1895 until being sold to Adam Wieser in 1901. Adam Wieser was in business with R. E. A. Mueller establishing the Castalia Spring vinegar works in Spokane in 1887 and in 1891 changed the name to the New York Bottling Works which was located at 818 Third Ave. He purchased the Spokane Soda Bottling Works from Holland in 1901 and sold it to Fred Schuler in 1905. Wieser remained strictly as a bottler in Spokane and the soda business lasted thru prohibition. Weiser died in July 1918 with his body taken for burial to West Bend, Wisconsin.
Photo
A photo of the Spokane Soda Bottling Works located at 818 3rd Ave. Ave in Spokane (circa 1910).
818 3rd Ave. Today
Photo Courtesy: Google Street View
The J. L. Shute Importing Co. - Seattle (1907-1915)
1/2 Gallon Apollinaris Bottle
In 1907, James Shute opened a saloon at 1609 First Ave and operated at this location until 1909. In 1910, he established the J. L. Shute Importing Co. at 1605 First Ave. and remained in operation until prohibition in 1915.
Storefront Photo
A photo of people standing outside the front door of the J. L. Shute Importing Co. at 1605 1st Ave. in Seattle (circa 1912).
1605 1st Ave. Seattle - Today
Photo Courtesy: Google Street View