Hires To You headerThe Illustrated History of Hires Root Beer

Chapter Directory - 1870s

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1870

1871

1872

Grand opening of Hires' new store at 602 Spruce Street, Philadelphia

1873

Photo of Charles E. Hires, circa age 22, in his drug store

1874

Hires sold his retail store and switched to the wholesale drug business

1875

Charles Hires married Clara Kate Smith

1876

A New Jersey housewife introduced Hires to "homemade root beer"

Resources do not confirm Hires Root Beer at the Centennial Exposition

1877

Hires Root Beer first sold over the counter at his Spruce Street store

Earliest sales figures list 11,520 glasses were sold during 1877

First newspaper advertisement placed for Hires' Root Beer Package

1878

First sample Hires Root Beer Packages offered for 25¢

1879

Advertising expanded to big city newspapers and magazines

Hires' Improved Root Beer Package introduced

Hires' first use of trade cards