It looks like Crystal Beach Loganberry (CBL) has finally hit the city. Somebody brought a bottle to lunch this afternoon along with a Bocce pizza. I had not seen the new bottle of loganberry, which is produced by PJis in Saratoga Springs, NY. I have mixed feelings about the Crystal Beach label. One reason is the fact that the name capitalizes on local nostalgia, but itis not made in the area anymore. Crystal Beach suckers are back on the market, and they are still made around here. Itis not like Saratoga is that farOe itis just too bad that that the Western New York area (or Crystal Beach) could not have had a hand in the business. Who knows, maybe itis appropriate. The original Comet is located in Glens Falls, which is a neighbor of Saratoga, so the old wooden rollercoaster and the new Crystal Beach Loganberry have found a home together about five hours East of Buffalo.
Owners of CBL, PJ and Carolyn, grew up drinking the flavor that became one of their favorite childhood pastimes. They graduated from high school, got married, went to college, and became schoolteachers. The couple then moved to Saratoga Springs, New York, and 23 years ago opened their restaurant, PJis Bar-B-Q, recognized as one of the top 8 barbecue restaurants in the United States by City Magazine, a national publication.
Being from Buffalo, the Davisi wanted to sell popular Buffalo items in their restaurant, such as Buffalo Wings, Kummelweck Sandwiches, Sahlenis Hot Dogs, and Loganberry! Loganberry became so popular that it was outselling the major leading cola brands also offered at the restaurant. During the winter customers were asking where they could purchase Loganberry while the popular summer restaurant was closed. And the rest, my friends, is history.
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