These two photos are of the lunchroom inside a Vendo vending machine factory lunchroom sometime in the 1950s. As you can see in the first photo, the lunchroom was fully stocked with Vendo vending machines of all kinds. These were soda, fresh food, ice cream, milk, juice and coffee machines.

The second photo shows a more humorous take on the assortment of food and drink vendors available to the employees. This room has been set up to look like a town in the old West. Instead of the words “Coca-Cola” over the vending machine, a rustic –looking sign with “The Cold Bottle” is displayed overhead, making it look more like an old saloon. Old storefronts have been painted on the walls. What a fun place to have lunch—“How ‘bout a nice cold Coke, Pardner?”

Is Refreshery even a word? In any case, we had this photo of what looks to be a movie theater concession stand. Really great 1950’s styling for the back wall with “Refreshery” spelled out in a great-looking script set on top of alternating square panels.

There’s a popcorn machine, candy counter, self-serve ice cream and a cup vending soda machine, all you would ever need to watch a movie.

Does anybody remember where this might be? Bottom of the photo has “Kingston” written out. Please blog-in if you know where this may have been.

We feature both a Stoner Candy machine and a Stoner Gum machine in our Retroplanet.com Museum. This brochure is for a Stoner Univendor 80, which is a vending machine designed to dispense larger items, like cupcakes, donuts or pouch tobacco. It has a striking resemblance to our restored Stoner Theater Candy Machine, made in the 1950’s with the same art deco design. This is a 4-selection machine that accepts nickels, dimes and quarters. And it addresses the changing needs of vendable items, able to hold anything from a donut to a variety of general merchandise.

Manufactured by:

Stoner Mfg. Corp.

Aurora, Illinois

I’ve been unable to find any photos of one of these vintage vendors. Perhaps you’ve seen one? Please blog-in and let us know.

Canteen Hot Dog and Hamburger Vending Machine

This isn’t a great picture, but it’s all we have on this one. This vending machine with “Canteen” across the top appears to be some sort of a hot food vendor. The graphics on the mirror look to be a hamburger and a hot dog. This is an unusual machine, to say the least. Any information you may have on this would be appreciated.

1950’s Vend-Rite Purity Pretzel Stix Vendor

The 1950’s Purity Pretzel Stix vending machine was marketed as a companion unit to be placed beside existing drink vendors. Starting in 1948, Vend-Rite Manufacturing created machines that dispensed products from other companies, as in this case, pretzels. They also made, and are still making, machines that dispense Kleenex, Tide and various food products.

Manufactured by:
Vend-Rite Manufacturing Co.
6029 W. 31st St.
Cicero, IL

Send us your feedback for this blog. This company is still making vending machines today. What interesting items have you seen that they dispense?

The 1960’s Boy-O-Boy popcorn vending machine. According to the brochure, when the coin was inserted, the folded box would drop, be opened and filled with popcorn. That must have been something to see. The brochure states, “Here’s real action with Sales Magnetism!”

Some of the unused popcorn boxes are still available to collectors today.

Manufactured by:
The Queen City Mfg.
Co.Cincinnati, OH

This is a machine you’re not likely to forget. If you’ve seen one, let us know where that was. Blog in, we’d love to hear from you.

Promoting their products as “The Nation’s Finest Vendors”, in this ad the Automatic Products Co. is advertising their “Sodashoppe”, “Smokeshop 612” and “Refresh-o-Mat” vending machines. The Automatic Products Co. has been in business since 1949. Today they are owned by the Crane Company and are the leading manufacturer of glassfront snack, hot and cold beverage and frozen food vending machines. These 3 different 1950’s era vending machines illustrate the diversity in machines that evidently date back to the very beginning of this company. Note the Art Deco design and chrome detail that are part of the sleek design in all 3 of these models.

Manufactured by:
Automatic Products Co.
250 West 57th St.
New York, NY

Factories:
Minneapolis and St. Paul Minnesota

Have you ever come across a Sodashoppe, Smokeshop 612 or Refresh-o-Mat vending machine made by the Automatic Products Co.? Blog in and let us know.