A hobby that pops: Saskatoon man's massive Coca-Cola collection inspired by rural roots

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Jon Aschenbrener of Saskatoon estimates he has 5,000 to 10,000 items in his collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia, which began on the family farm northeast of Cupar, Sask.

Jon Aschenbrener's taste in beverages hasn't affected his penchant for collecting. He estimates he has 5,000 to 10,000 individual Coca-Cola items in his massive collection.

Aschenbrener describes himself as a "farm boy" who's been living in the city the last 24 years.

He said he fell in love with bottle collecting, and Coca-Cola items in particular, over about 30 years.

Aschenbrener grew up on a large cattle and grain farm northeast of Cupar, which is about 60 kilometres northeast of Regina.

"My grandparents and my parents were lucky enough to survive the '50s, '60s, '70s, and especially the '80s. A lot of families didn't. So there was like 15 to 20 abandoned farm yards in very close proximity to our farm. So when I was little, spring and fall would be the best time to go bottle picking in the bush.

Aschenbrener in front of part of his Coca-Cola collection. (Thomas Simon/CBC)

He still owns the first Coca-Cola-related item he ever received — a pen and tin set he got from his mom for his 14th birthday.

"It turned the light bulb on," he said. "It's like one of the most special things my mom has ever given to me. I haven't even opened it."

He said it was very common in the 1990s to go to auction sales, whether in town or at auction sites. His family just started buying Coca-Cola items, whether it was signs or machines. He said a "massive" light-up sign that he and his mom got is still on the farm.

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