The Chero-Cola Bottling Works was established in Henderson in late 1919, with operations located at the corner of Second and Clark Streets (1107 Second). Construction of a new bottling building was announced in December 1919, with the structure costing approximately $10,000. The plant was completed and in operation by 1920.
The Henderson plant served as a regional distributing point, bottling and delivering soft drinks to Henderson, Union, Webster, Hopkins, and Crittenden counties. By the mid-1920s, the facility was producing thousands of bottles daily and employed more than a dozen workers.
In 1926, the company installed new automated equipment, including a Dixie automatic bottling machine and hydro bottle washers, increasing output and efficiency. Reports noted that the updated machinery allowed one worker to perform the work previously requiring three.
In 1930, the company officially changed its name from Chero-Cola Bottling Works to the Nehi Bottling Company, reflecting a shift in branding and product lines. The Henderson plant continued operations as part of the expanding Nehi beverage network.
