Root Beer Maker Unleashes Giving

0

Man’s best friend shares an unlikely bond with root beer thanks to a family business in Hancock Park.

Dog lovers Jessica and Tim Youd said they donate a portion of the revenue from their all-natural root beer company to local animal shelters.

“It’s nice to be able to give back,” said Jessica, co-founder of Margo’s Bark Soda Co., which is named after one of the couple’s rescue dogs, a black lab-pit pull mix. “The restaurants and stores that take us on help share with their customers our values of helping all animals.”

Santa Monica-based Veggie Grill, Ventura County candy store chain Rocket Fizz, and national supermarket chain Whole Food Market Inc. are among the larger retailers selling the $1.35 bottles of root beer.

The business, launched in 2009, is based out of the dog-filled Youd home, but there is a brewing facility in Indian Wells and a warehouse in Hollywood from which Jessica makes many of the local deliveries herself.

“I have distribution set up for our larger accounts, but I still do almost all the local deliveries,” she said. “I load up the back of my minivan with cases, drop them off, and fill the van back up again.”

Jessica, who would not disclose financials, said plans were to keep expanding the business and to continue helping animals.

– Jonathan Ponciano

No posts to display