PHOTOS: MoneyBag Sodas: Tops marks 1,000,000th bottle

Milk, bread, eggs … Gene Simmons?

Sunday shoppers at the Tops Friendly Market on Niagara Falls Boulevard were pleasantly surprised to find the rock legend standing in between seasonal cereal flavors, giant bags of Farmer Jon’s popcorn, and Simmons’ own MoneyBag Sodas.

In conjunction with the sale of the one millionth bottle, Top offered fans a special chance to win a commemorative plaque signed by Simmons.

Store management kept his arrival a secret.

A press release noted the winner, Wayne Altemoos of Olcott, “entered into an online social media contest conducted by Tops earlier this month hoping to win autographed memorabilia, but had no idea that Gene himself would be there presenting the prize, along with a plentiful supply of his son Austin’s favorite MoneyBag flavor soda (cream soda), courtesy of Tops. Thanks to his son Austin’s love for MoneyBag Sodas, they had two entries into the contest.”

Tops has been partnership with Niagara Falls-based Rock Steady Sodas, which produces MoneyBag Sodas, since 2017. It was one of the first major retailers to bring MoneyBag Sodas not only into the Western New York region, but also across its chain of stores, staying true to its “Tops Loves Local” roots. To date, Tops carries the brand in over 90 Tops locations.

At a press conference earlier in the day, Simmons said, “MoneyBag Sodas have sold a million bottles for Tops. We couldn't do it without Tops, and we certainly appreciate it – but you ain't seen nothing yet.”

John Persons, CEO of Northeast Grocery Inc. – the parent company of Tops Friendly Markets – said, “We are so thrilled to be part of this celebration, to not only recognize the continued success of Rock Steady Sodas here in Niagara Falls, New York, and the excitement, of course, that Gene brings to the city, but also because we sold that one millionth bottle – and I can't tell you how proud we are that that happened at a Tops market.

“Like Rock Steady, Tops was founded in Niagara Falls in 1962, just a few miles down from here. And we've been proud to be the local, hometown grocery store ever since. And as one of Rock Steady's first major retail carriers, our longstanding partnership with MoneyBag Soda is a testament to the high quality of their specialty soda products and the appeal to so many of our customers and, of course, to so many of Gene's fans locally. Tops remains incredibly grateful for this collaboration, as Gene and the Rock Steady team have been gracious since day one of our partnership.”

Rock Steady is run by local bottlers John and Paul Janik, and businessman Chris Haick, in affiliation with Simmons – the famed KISS performer.

Persons said, “A few years ago, Paul, John and Chris brought Gene by our headquarters for a surprise visit. And let me tell you, our employees were really surprised to have Gene Simmons walk in the front door at 10 a.m. on some random Tuesday morning. But the remarkable part was that Gene walked around for the next two hours, just popping into offices, popping into work spaces, and talking to and engaging anyone that he came across.

“As you can imagine, we had a lot of laughs that morning; and I realized at that time – and I can certainly attest to all of you now – the down-to-earth and kind nature of this man. He may be a worldwide icon. He's very kind and gentle and just a very nice man to interact with.

“So, with that, thank you Gene, and thank you Rock Steady Sodas, for the partnership and allowing us to be part of something very special; and congratulations on this incredible milestone.”

Joshua Maloni contributed to this report and took the photos.

Gene Simmons congratulates Austin and Wayne Altemoos for winning a Tops Friendly Markets contest held in conjunction with the one millionth bottle of MoneyBag Sodas.

Simmons hosts an impromptu interview with Tops' Michael Nugent.

Rock Steady Sodas partners Chris Haick, Gene Simmons and John Janik.