Here is a photo of a Vendo Ark Pie ice cream vendor. I really do not know much about this machine or what an Ark Pie is, but I thought it was a neat picture. If anyone is familiar with this machine or what an Ark Pie is, please blog-in and let us know.

Manufactured by:

The Vendo Company
Kansas City, Missouri

In the 1930s the Good Humor ice cream company saw the need to be able to sell ice cream where people spent their time in the good weather—outdoors. Their solution was to send out a fleet of ice cream vending tricycles. They went directly to Schwinn and asked them if they were interested in designing something for them. Schwinn turned them down, but not before directing them to Worksman, a small bicycle manufacturer in New York that was already producing something like that. Worksman was busy producing Good Humor ice cream vending trikes for 40 years. They still manufacture all sorts of recreation and vending bicycles today.

This 1950s ice cream tricycle is one that we restored. As you can see by the old paint, there was a generic brand of ice cream painted on it originally. All of the trike’s components are the original pieces. Everything was stripped, repaired and repainted. The restoration was completed with a custom paint job and new wide whitewall tires.

Produced: 1950s
Dimensions: 100″L x 25″W x 40″H

Manufactured by:
Worksman Cycles
Queens, New York

This Vendo ice cream vending machine was a very challenging restoration. The exterior was pretty straightforward but the vending component was difficult to get right. If you attempt this restoration, make sure you document the process of taking the machine apart with photos and notes. Also, the machine should be complete, as parts cannot be found for it unless you buy another machine for spares.

I wish I could give you some more specific tips, but this restoration was done many years ago and our notes have been lost. Besides, we only restored one of these and we would have never done another.

All the graphics on the finished machine were custom, this machine was not originally painted like this. They were usually found painted light blue like the Vendo milk machine and the upright Vendo ice cream vendor.

Dimensions: 34 ¾”W x 29 ½”D x 36 ¼” H
Produced: 1950s

Manufactured by:
The Vendo Company
Kansas City, Missouri

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.

Atlas ColSnac Ice Cream Vendor

The 1950’s Atlas ColSnac Ice Cream Vendor allowed merchandisers to sell ice cream bars on a stick at locations other than the grocery store. These would have been placed at locations such as filling stations, pharmacies and similar venues. As the ad says, “ColSnac gives you the opportunity to open up a vast new market…”, in addition to the business that the proprietor was already engaged in. With a coin slot and built-in change-maker, these units would have been self-serve so the customer could help themselves to an icy cold ice cream.

Manufactured by:
Atlas Tool & Mfg. Co.
5147 Natural Bridge Blvd.
St. Louis, Missouri

Maybe you’ve come across one of these over the years. Blog in and let us know.

The Revco Mono-Mat and Duo-Mat

Here are a couple of interesting ice cream cup vending machines. The Revco Mono-Mat and the Duo-mat made by Revco Inc. of Deerfield, Michigan. The Mono-Mat held 121 cups and spoons and offered one choice of ice cream. The Duo-mat held 226 cups and spoons and offered two selections.

When we were in the restoration business we came across a couple of these, but they were missing parts so we never restored them. The person we bought them from said his brother had a warehouse full of them, but did not want to part with them. Let us know if you have any experience with these machines.