After years of going through thousands of plastic seltzer bottles, my husband put the foot down. He wanted to switch to tap water. Water? I don’t like water. I need my seltzer!
So, I did what my mom did back when I was growing up. I called the Seltzer Man. Yeah, he still exists.
Now, it’s a bit pricier than the Vintage variety, but the bottles keep the fizz. Plus, knowing that I’m not single-handedly destroying Planet Earth with my carbonated drink addiction is priceless. The cost for Bed Stuy delivery is $25 per case of 10. It’s only $1 per bottle to schlepp to the factory in Canarsie for pick up, but Narsie? No, thanks.
Gomberg Seltzer Works is the last remaining seltzer factory in NYC and there are only about 6 or 7 guys delivering to the entire city. Ronny Beberman is the Brooklyn Seltzer Man. He’s 63 years old and still drives his wooden slatted truck full of valuable vintage glass bottles.
The alternative to store bought or delivered seltzer would be to make my own. Now lookit, I have trouble boiling water or making toast. I’m not so sure I’d be up for carbonating several bottles of water. It’s just too much work.
Plus, let’s face it. Old school seltzer delivery is cool as shit.
Tomorrow’s post: How I’m going back to the rotary phone.
PS: “Seltzer Works” is a documentary film about Gomberg Seltzer. It’s being screened at Rooftop Films on July 17th.
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Hi, I’m looking for a selzerman to deliver to my home in Manhattan. Does someone know one? I had delivery for years until my guy gave up the buisness. I’d appreciate the help!
Andrew Farber: farbernyc@gmail.com , voice mail 212- 875 2929
Gomberg Seltzer is where it comes from. If you call them, they can give you a list of delivery guys in your neighborhood. My guy is Ronnie. He covers Brooklyn, not sure about Manhattan. I recently saw a little post in NY Mag on some Manhattan guy.
Gomberg: (718) 257-9369
thanks for this encouraging info! i ALWAYS appreciate preserving old time food and drink traditions and keeping it local. especially since SodaStream,which is what many folks use to make their own seltzer, runs a factory in an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank. Exploitation and displacement just doesn’t match our otherwise tasteful commitment to refreshing and natural beverages. I’d much rather support an old school, locally owned Brooklyn business!
[…] Ryvka being the thorough lady that she is, followed up with an email just the other day. She was excited to discover that there is an alternative to SodaStream that matches the local pride of Brooklyn Gin- Gomberg Seltzer Works in Canarsie, Brooklyn! Gomberg Seltzer Works is the last remaining seltzer factory in NYC and Ronny Beberman is the Brooklyn Seltzer Man. He’s 63 years old and still drives a wooden slatted truck full of vintage glass bottles. You can watch “Seltzer Works”, a documentary film about Gomberg Seltzer, at Rooftop Films on July 17th, and you can read a brief and entertaining write-up of this old school seltzer making and delivering operation here: https://reclaimedhome.com/2010/07/01/brooklyn-seltzer-delivery-how-old-school-is-that/ […]
NEED SOMEONE TO COME LIVE IN SUNNY CALIFORNIA AND MAKE SELTZER.