FRANK'S BEVERAGES

IS IT FRANK'S? THANKS!

Many US cities once had their own best-loved local soft drink companies, and Philadelphia was no exception. Older Delaware Valley residents will no doubt recall Frank's Beverages and their catchy slogan - "Is it Frank's? Thanks!"

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For the record, Frank was not some tough Italian guy from South Philly. He was Jacob Frank, a Russian Jewish immigrant who in 1885 started out on the city's streets peddling soda he made with freshly squeezed lemons.

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One thing led to another, and several decades later Frank's was Philly's most popular locally bottled soft drink. The flavors were many and included Orange, Grape, Cola, Root Beer, Cream Soda, and of course Frank's signature offering - Black Cherry Wishniak, first introduced in the 1950s.

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"Wishniak?"

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We knew you would ask.

Back in Russia, wishniak (pronounced WISH-nee-ack or VISH-nee-ack) was a cordial made from vodka and fermented cherries. Frank's non-alcoholic American counterpart was basically a tasty version of cherry soda.

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Phillies icon Richie Ashburn endorsed Frank's beverages, as did Patty Smyth (a 1980s new wave hottie) and her band Scandal. It looked for a time as if Frank's would be around forever. But alas, sales of the soft drink began to fizzle, and in 1990 the company was bought out by another company that maintained the brand for a while and then dropped it.

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There have been a few attempts here and there to revive Frank's, and it is possible that even today cans of Black Cherry Wishniak might occasionally appear on some grocery shelf somewhere. As far as Willie is aware, however, Frank's is not available at this time, not even online.

But be of good cheer. Instead of Frank's we now have Hank's, and they make a premium Black Cherry Wishniak for your tasting pleasure. Stewart's also produces this flavor.

The bubbly legend of Frank's lives on.