Hidden Gems Of Connecticut

MANCHESTER, CT — A trip along Manchester's Spencer Street takes travelers to an aged "shack" that hugs the road, just past the entrance to Manchester Community College. It's the perfect setting for a unique and historic soft drink company that's been around since 1912.

Welcome to the Hosmer Mountain Soda Shack. It's vintage (the beverages come in glass bottles) it's a total throwback (all formulas are in-house blends) ... and it's totally tasty (to the tune of 30 different flavors).

There is also a similar shack on Mountain Street in Willimantic.

Check out the Hosmer Mountain history here.

(Hosmer Mountain in 1914 - Hosmer Mountain)

Hosmer Mountain is like the old drug store soda fountain beverages, but in bottles. Here are some of the flavors:

• Cola
• Orange
• Grape
• Birch beer
• Sasparilla
• Pineapple
• Chocolate cream
• Strawberry

Click here for a full flavor list and check in regularly for a "flavor of the month."

(Chris Dehnel/Patch)

The exact address of Hosmer Mountain's Manchester shack is 12 Spencer St. The Hosmer Mountain shack in Willimantic is located at 217 Mountain St.

Click here for shack hours. There are even spring water and soda delivery options.

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The Connecticut Hidden Gem series features out-of-the-way mom and pop restaurants, small specialty stores you may have never heard of, little-known historical markers or beautiful nature spots that may be a bit off the beaten path.