THE BUNKER
Construction to begin in the next phase of the project. Have a vision for the space? Connect with us.
(2402 Market St. Jacksonville, FL. 32206)
2024 Rendering of our vision for the Bunker.
Founded in 1926 by Charles G. Guth, a Baltimore candy maker, the Mavis Bottling Company of America built their factory across the street from Coca-Cola, at The Bunker in 1927.
In 1929, Mavis was consolidated into another company Guth was involved with called Loft, Inc. Loft owned and operated 200 candy stores with soda fountains that purchased over 31,500 gallons of Coca-Cola syrup each year. After Coca-Cola refused to give him concessions on the sale of cola in his Loft stores, Guth started selling Pepsi.
When Pepsi-Cola went bankrupt in 1931, he purchased the company for $10,500, turning it into a national brand. As Pepsi grew, the Mavis Bottling Company was then absorbed into Pepsi-Cola and by 1936, Pepsi had become the nation's second largest soda company. Loft, Inc. closed the Jacksonville Mavis bottling plant in 1930. Coca-Cola expanded the building in 1946 and utilized as a cooler department, sign painting department, and private garage.