Coca-Cola memorabilia collectors had a chance to swap items and get their personal treasures appraised Saturday at the Chattanooga Choo Choo.
Potential buyers could also scour several tables full of Coca-Cola merchandise. Clocks, old bottles, backpacks, pillows, metal signs, TV trays and other items brandishing the famous red cursive letters were available for sale.
"It's the magic behind the brand," Johan Van Mierlo said as to why Coke is so popular. He works in a Coca-Cola plant in Belgium and drinks several Cokes a day, he said. He even met his wife through a Coca-Cola convention.
George Gilghrist and Labron Meadows are part of the board of the Chattanooga chapter - along with their wives Linda Gilghrist and Helen Meadows - and they've been collectors for several decades. Most serious Coca-Cola collectors, Gilghrist explained, have rooms dedicated to all their memorabilia.
Meadows is diabetic and can't drink Coke, but Gilghrist is a loyal Coke drinker. He was upset recently because his favorite local pizza place switched from Coke to Pepsi.
"So I had to find a new place," he said.
Contact staff writer Evan Hoopfer at ehoopfer@timesfreepress.com or @EvanHoopfer on Twitter or 423-757-6731.