Downtown New Bern is home to The Pepsi Store, otherwise known as the Birthplace of Pepsi Cola. The store is located where, back in 1893, Caleb Bradham developed "Brad's Drink." Brad's Drink was created as a digestive aid containing pepsin and kola nuts. It was renamed Pepsi-Cola in 1898. Today, the Pepsi Store is a soda fountain, a museum and a gift shop. Caleb Bradham's original pharmacy was a wooden building that burned down before he died in the 1930s. A new brick building was constructed after the fire. The museum is in both the soda fountain side of the store and the gift shop section, too. You can read about the history and see the original fountain tools, Pepsi bottles, advertising, and antique collectibles. The walls and pillars have a lot of detailed signage. I didn't try anything at the Soda Fountain as I don't like Pepsi, but I kind of regret not getting a float. I think it would have been fun to sit at the fountain. But I was too busy reading about the history. Apparel was a big item in the gift shop; they had had socks, t-shirts, sweatshirts and even baby bibs. Tumblers, books, puzzles, stuffed toys, key chains, magnets, decals, signs and stationery (greeting cards and postcards). Restrooms were also available inside, which is a great convenience for those walking around downtown. I got to see Bradham's house on the New Bern Trolley tour, the Slover-Bradham House. It was built in 1848 and is a beautiful Greek Revival mansion. Whether you are a fan of the drink or just a fan of North Carolina history, this is a must-stop in New Bern. You can go back in time and see where Pepsi began. read more

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This is such a fun and unique spot, especially if you enjoy history, souvenirs, or anything nostalgic. The store has a great selection of Pepsi merchandise, collectibles, apparel, and gifts, and it's neat knowing you're visiting the birthplace of such an iconic brand in New Bern, North Carolina. It's a cool little stop for both locals and visitors, and definitely worth checking out if you're in the area. read more

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Didn't really know what this all entailed but glad we stopped! They had the best fountain Pepsi! It was SO good! It's more of a small Pepsi gift shop and soda fountain. Definitely stop in if you are in New Bern. I heard the popcorn is amazing but I don't eat that type of popcorn. Sure smelt good tho! read more

Who knew this was the town where Pepsi started! You can go and read the history and have a Pepsi and some popcorn too! Then have sweatshirts, glasses and more with Pepsi on it! Give it a whirl! read more

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Tiny shop with Pepsi paraphernalia. I guess I expected something more like the World of Coca Cola in Atlanta, so my expectations were way too high. I don't feel like I learned anything about the history or anything. Want a Mountain Dew branded shot glass? They'll hook you up. read more

The Pepsi Store - Pepsi store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

Great nostalgic spot! Amazing to experience the birthplace of Pepsi and pickup a few souvenirs. Very friendly staff.

This place was fun, staff was friendly and seemed happy to be there! Restroom was clean! Prices were expensive, but its a tourist area. So it is what it is. read more

I've wanted to come here for years! If you're a Pepsi lover you could spend a fortune on all the branded merchandise. They have items in all price ranges and even a penny machine to stamp a penny for just fifty cents. We got a couple t shirts and a few other small things. Then we ordered up a couple cold Pepsi's and sat down to enjoy them at one of the cute tables. The drinks tasted so good! We lucked out as there was a regatta happening down by the waterfront and it was packed down there. So even tho the shop stayed busy, it could have been crazy on a Saturday. All in all a fun experience and definitely worth a stop if you're a fan of Pepsi products. read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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I'm not a Pepsi drinker but I can certainly appreciate the popularity and the culture that follows the brand. And I'm certainly not going to miss the opportunity to visit the birthplace of Pepsi. Yes, Caleb Bradham created and sold "Brad's Drink" in 1893 at his downtown drugstore, which at the time was known as the New Bern Drug Store. Five years later, he changed the name of the beverage to "Pepsi-Cola," referring to the pepsin and kola nut components that were purported to aid in digestion. The Pepsi-Cola corporation was formally established in North Carolina in 1902, and by the following year, Bradham had filed for trademark registration and was marketing the beverage from both his pharmacy and an adjacent warehouse that operated as a bottling plant. Over 24 states had Pepsi-Cola franchises by 1905, when the beverage was being offered in glass 6 ounce bottles. Unfortunately, Bradham lost the majority of his wealth in a poor business decision (he overbought sugar, and the price fell soon after), which led to his filing for bankruptcy. Bradham returned to running his drug store in New Bern while selling the business to Craven Holding Company for $35,000. Pepsi has unquestionably become the most popular cola in New Bern and is still the second-most popular cola brand in the world, as is clear from its international success. All of this is here in New Bern along with tons of Pepsi memorabilia for sale. Post cards, shot glasses, coasters, drinking glasses and more. If you're a Pepsi fan, you can't miss out on this. [Review 18890 overall - 3375 in North Carolina - 2413 of 2022.] read more

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Stopped in here again on our latest trip since we left our bottle opener at our last house. Always grab a Pepsi and usually their popcorn but we came in too close to closing and they cleaned it already. read more

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This place was fun for the obvious reasons. But I will say that I made it a point to come back here for a second time during my stay simply because I really enjoyed the classic look and relaxed atmosphere. I mean it's popcorn and Pepsi. It's a simple pleasure. My 9 year old actually hates soda and would have preferred a nice lemonade instead. But he loves popcorn more than life itself sometimes so that made up for it. read more

Easy to locate, close road parking, and not too busy with tourism. This is such a fun little mid day stop.

Nice souvenirs, sweatshirts are so warm, peosi great! I would like to make a suggestion of maybe some shake on seasoning for popcorn cheese , butter etc. read more

This store is the birthplace of Brad's drink, the beginning of Pepsi. Opened as a drug store in 1893, he renamed it to Pepsi-Cola in 1898 as a healthy cola which he believed it aided in digestion. The name was derived from dyspepsia, which means indigestion. Located on the corner of Middle St and Pollock St in the very quaint and historic town of New Bern. They sell bottles of Pepsi, Diet Pepsi and Mountain Dew. Part of the store is filled with souvenirs and the other part has a fountain and tables and chairs. Cool place to visit. read more

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First and foremost I just want to say I LOVE Pepsi. So when my husband told me that there is a little town called New Bern and it had the original birth of Pepsi I said we need to go. So we took the three hour trip from Virginia Beach to see this little place. It isn't anything huge and it isn't a museum. It is a small little store that sells Pepsi merchandise on one side and has a little area on the other side to drink an original Pepsi and have some popcorn. My husband had a Pepsi float and I had an original Pepsi. Now I have to say there is something about that original Pepsi taste I did not like. It tasted flat like it needed more carbonation but I understand that's how it was made there. (Side note I went to another restaurant and the Pepsi tasted the same so I am thinking that is how it's just made in this area.) To let everyone know, it is not a big factory tour like you would see at the Jelly Belly factory. Remember this was a pharmacy from the 1800s. If you keep that in mind and everything I said above you will enjoy yourself. They did have a tv playing some history of Pepsi and there was information all over to look at. It was pretty neat and I enjoyed myself. read more

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This unique Pepsi themed gift shop doubles as a museum of sorts. Well worth a ten-minute stop if you are in the neighborhood of the historic downtown New Bern. I wouldn't make a trip just to see this. It's interesting that the cartoon artwork from days past show "a big big bottle 12 ozs." Now that would be considered small. I don't see Pepsi being promoted as a digestive aid anymore. If you are in the birthplace of Pepsi stop by and learn a little about this soda pop. Also of you are a Mountain Dew lover there is plenty of Dew themed merchandise available too, especially if nostalgia is your thing. read more

The Pepsi Store - Display - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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We had only 20 minutes to check out the downtown area of New Bern on our first visit to the city before a kayak outing and literally stumbled upon this place having no idea it existed. It was a very fun trip down memory lane to learn of the origin and growth of Pepsi Cola from humble beginnings. There were a lot of historic photos and stories along with too many souvenirs. They were serving Pepsi and Mountain Dew but I wish they did more to create an old fashioned soda fountain atmosphere. Still, a very worthwhile visit. read more

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My son loves all things soda. I wanted to give him a surprise on our recent day trip and this was perfect. His face lit up when he saw the store. The store was decorated with all things Pepsi and for Christmas. There is some Mountain Dew stuff if you are a fan. It's a storefront on Main Street and so cute the registry had people visiting from all over the USA. Really cool. read more

The Pepsi Store - Surprised my kiddo - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

When planning your trip to New Bern, make sure to stop by where Pepsi started! Quick history....Back in 1893 in this building, which was a pharmacy at the time, Caleb Bradham invented "Brad's Drink." Five years later, in 1898, the name of the beverage was changed to Pepsi-Cola. When you enter the Pepsi Store you are met with the smell of popcorn and a few "throw back" coolers with bottled Pepsi & Mountain Dew. They have also have a soda fountain, however I recommend ALL to enjoy a Bottled Pepsi and/or Mountain Dew while you are enjoying the gift shop. Note- they occasionally have ice cream floats, which are very good! You are able to see the history of Pepsi, various memorabilia from all over the globe, merchandise to purchase and a very nice staff to assist at any time. Definitely a must see during your visit to Eastern NC! read more

The Pepsi Store - Exterior of the Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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If you visit this area, a stop at the "Birthplace of Pepsi" is a perfect place to spend a few minutes. History folks will like the displays of Pepsi history, along with a video from the 100th anniversary of Pepsi. It's nice to visit the soda fountain, where you can get a cup of Pepsi or Mountain Dew or popcorn. It's also nice to see the big variety of souvenirs available for purchase. Employees are friendly and very knowledgeable on Pepsi history, and will gladly chat with you and make the visit to the Pepsi store more enjoyable. read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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Anyone that knows me knows Pepsi is my favorite soda! I've been drinking it since I was younger, back when you used to by the six pack of bottles LOL. I was so excited to see the sign on the way into New Bern stating this was the birthplace of Pepsi. On one side you could purchase a fountain soda and even a Pepsi ice cream float. There were so many cool relics from back in the day when Pepsi first started being sold. Such as the old soda holder that look like a floor model freezer. There is history on the walls so you can read and learn about the history of Pepsi. Caleb Bradshaw invented Pepsi in 1878 in a pharmacy in New Bern. On the other side of the store there are many Pepsi items for sale. I purchased a koozie, magnet, shot glass and a t-shirt. I purchased all these items for under $30. Not bad! You will also find cute blue benches on the corner outside of the store with the words Pepsi Cola written on the back rests. I couldn't have asked for a better place to spend the last day of my birthday weekend! read more

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Great Customer service. Loved the museum pieces. Enjoyed my Pepsi and popcorn and my bag of new Pepsi tee shirts read more

So much history! My go-to is always a Cherry Pepsi and a little bag of salted peanuts. One of my favorite New Bern staples. Every time I enter, I always think of the Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime show and remember that name that's seen all over the world by billions not only that night but every day started right where I'm standing. read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

Fun place to check out if you're in the area! It's free to walk through but definitely grab a Pepsi to go! Loved my Cherry Pepsi! It's a small place with gifts and interesting history all about Pepsi! read more

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Nice walk into history! Learn how pepsi came to be. Grab souvenir and of course grab yourself a drink!

It's a neat place to visit if you're in the area, but I wouldn't make a special trip just for this. It's 85% gift shop, 15% history of the product. Would have loved for the 2nd story of the building to have been more museum. read more

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Great popcorn great service and best of all free to get in! Nothing like good old fashioned HFC free Pepsi cola. My Pepsi obsessed grandma would be in hog heaven here! read more

Pepsi lovers unite. This is where it all started. Of course, it wasn't called The Pepsi Store back then, but this is where the liquid refreshment that we call Pepsi-Cola came in to existence. You can find pretty much anything in this store / museum that is Pepsi related. We naturally had to buy a bottle of Pepsi-Cola, just to say that we did, in addition to several other items of schwag that we will share with our family. Overall, it was a fun trip down a historical memory lane that I found much more enjoyable than that other cola companies location in Atlanta. PS - Santa likes Pepsi too. read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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This is a really cool nostalgic building and store celebrating the birthday place of Pepsi. They have a ton of old logos on sweatshirts and so many other things. This is not a huge place but a walk back in time. read more

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Cute and delightful. Would have liked it to have more of a museum and informative view but it was cool. read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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Whether you're local or visiting a stop at the Pepsi store is a must do. I love to stop in for a freshly popped pop corn and a fountain Pepsi to enjoy while walking around town . Lots of nostalgia and souvenir /fan options here. Take a photo out front to mark your visit ! read more

The store was nice, and they have so many goods and stuffs for Pepsi! I bought the magnet from the store! Definitely good place to visit when you come to New Bern! read more

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I loved this small museum/soda fountain store. It has a ton of history and is a slice of Americana right smack in the middle of New Bern's cutest corner. I liked the movie they had displayed on a flat screen that explained the complete story of Pepsi Cola, from it's inception in this old time Pharmacy to the bottling plant that purchased the brand and more. I loved all the mementos they had and the old items on display. I also loved the jeweler's case they saved from another shop in town and are preserving in here. I do not however appreciate the Labor Day closure. This is one of the town's main attractions and to be closed (with a hand written sign, not present the day before) on a weekend when visitors will be in town visiting was quite disappointing. We walk right by the day before and we would have walked in if we had realized that they were going to be closed on Monday, but alas we just drove into town for the museum and realized it was closed. It was definitely a let down to have to come back to town, on our way to the airport the next day, just to see this attraction. read more

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Pretty cool place! A bit, country, underwhelming and forgettable - but maybe that was the intent - but still overall a cool - no cost place to say "hey, I've been to the birthplace of pepsi. New Bern is a cute quite town, seemingly this is 'locals' type of place where they bring their out-of-town guests to buy sodas, and unique souvenirs. The place is small, and could be pretty packed - but all they serve are soda's and pepsi floats - so the wait time and turnover is pretty quick. read more

The Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola is the at the corner of Middle and Pollock and is the site where Caleb Bradham, pharmacist and inventor of Pepsi-Cola started the soda pop that continues to be recognized and enjoyed around the globe. With a recent remodel and expansion...visitors can enjoy a restored Bradham's Pharmacy experience with Pepsi drinks from the fountain along with nickel candies and even Pepsi ice cream floats. The large expansion gives way to a huge sales floor full of Pepsi and Mountain Dew memorabilia. There's always a friendly Pepsi store employee eager to help and answer any questions too. Any visit to historic downtown New Bern, NC deserves a visit to the Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola. read more

The Pepsi Store - Birthplace of Pepsi-Cola - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

Fun iconic place. Stop in to get a pepsi float. Nothing is better than a scoop of cold vanilla ice cream on a hot sunny day. It's decked out in a old time soda fountain style with memorabilia decorating the walls. Staff is friendly and its worth a quick pop in, if you are already in the area. read more

The Pepsi Store - pepsi float - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

Pretty cool to have a Pepsi at the place where it all started. They also have lots of Pepsi merch as well if that's your thing. read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

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Cool place to stop in if you find yourself in New Bern. They had some really old and neat artifacts from Pepsi-Cola that I had never seen before. The space takes up two storefronts, and you are free to wander around. They have an old school pharmacy set up on one side where you can purchase drinks or popcorn, and another area where you can purchase souvenirs and gifts from the shop. Cool to see the old machines and advertising from so long ago. Worth checking out! read more

This small shop is ideal for the Pepsi fan who wants a small souvenir. Buy a tee-shirt or a reprint of a vintage metal wall poster or talk with the owner over the fresh fountain cup of Pepsi. The Birthplace of Pepsi Cola is a fun little must-see on a tour of New Bern, not to mention a pilgrimage for Pepsi-holics, read more

The Pepsi Store - Museums Near Me - New Bern, North Carolina

Such a cute little store! We visited from California and loved the place. Great popcorn and nice employees. Also a nice retreat from the North Carolina heat. read more