Thursday Recognized as “Dr. Enuf Day” in County

Recognizing 75th-Anniversary of Soft Drink Bottling

In honor of a significant milestone, county commissioners have set to proclaim Thursday as “Dr. Enuf Day in Washington County.” The proclamation is inspired by the 75th anniversary of the bottling of the beloved regional soft drink—Dr. Enuf, by Tri-City Beverage Corp. in Johnson City.

The proclamation acknowledges the growth of the local company in tandem with including the growth of Johnson City. It emphasizes that now, the drink “Dr. Enuf” has not only become a beloved regional brand, but an integral part of Tennessee’s cultural and business landscape. It states clearly thus: “We do hereby recognize June 27, 2024, as ‘Dr. Enuf Day in Washington County,’ celebrating Dr. Enuf’s enduring presence and its significant impact on Tennessee’s cultural and business landscape.”

Proclamation Scheduled Amidst Loss

The declaration was initially set to be made at their regular monthly meeting, which has now been rescheduled to Wednesday in honor of the passing of their colleague, Suzanne “Suzy” Williams, who died on June 18. The dates were adjusted to enable commissioners to attend the funeral services.

The History of Dr. Enuf

An innovative war veteran, Charles O. Gordon Sr. founded Tri-City Beverage as Tip Bottling in 1946. He constructed a Quonset hut on West Walnut Street in Johnson City in 1949, where he began bottling Dr. Enuf. The soft drink’s formula was developed by a Chicago chemist who aimed to cure his co-workers of constant lethargy during the day. Over time, the drink’s remarkable capacity to boost energy saw it being labeled “the original energy booster.”

Gordon, a native of Marion, Virginia, moved to Johnson City in 1936. He was known as a decorated war veteran of World War II and a well-respected businessman. In the later years of his life, he also served as the mayor of Johnson City. Gordon sadly passed away at the age of 84 on August 15, 2004.

The Success of Dr. Enuf

The Dr. Enuf brand owes much of its success to Charles O. Gordon’s innovative marketing strategies, like front-page-like ads and backward-folded newspapers. These strategies effectively set Dr. Enuf apart in a highly competitive marketplace. Gordon’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to quality have ensured that Dr. Enuf remains a symbol of regional pride and business success in East Tennessee, as noted in the proclamation

As the proclamation points out, Tri-City Beverage continues its legacy as a family-owned business. The company boasts of having 32 employees, with a product delivery area that spans approximately 120 miles. Dr. Enuf is now served in Cracker Barrel restaurants nationwide, showcasing its commitment to local roots while contributing significantly to the identity of the region. The brand has also taken steps to preserve and perpetuate 265 years of Appalachian musical culture through its sponsorship of the Boones Creek Historical Trust & Opry.