Blackwell responds to apocalyptic Dr. Pepper shortage

by Jordan Green

2020 has been the year of shortages.

The toilet paper paucity almost wiped us out. The coin scarcity still doesn’t make cents, though we’ll see change eventually – we hope. But the problem we’re being peppered with now might just do us in.

Dr. Pepper, the nation’s greatest fizz-ician, is in short supply. The company confirmed this information in a tweet Aug. 10.

“We know it’s harder to find Dr Pepper these days. We’re working on it – hang tight!” the company said. “Note: This applies to all flavors of Dr Pepper – including our newest permanent addition to the family, Dr Pepper & Cream Soda.

“We’re doing everything we can to get it back into your hands. That means working with our distribution partners to keep shelves stocked nationwide, while ensuring the safety of our employees.

“We appreciate your patience, and encourage you to contact your local retailer directly for the most up-to-date availability of Dr. Pepper products.”

The doctor’s absence hasn’t impacted on Blackwell yet, as local store shelves are still stocked with the bubbly beverage. But it could affect America’s Hometown soon.

I reached out to some of Facebook’s best and brightest, both from Blackwell and afar, to find out just how passionate people are about the delicious drink. (Note: I can’t confirm that everyone who provided a comment to me gave me their real identity.)

Here’s what folks wrote to me via Facebook:

Debbie Horton: “I went to a grocery store saw man works for Dr pepper putting drunks on the shelf I ask him is it true about Dr pepper he says yes he told me you better get it now.”

Cody Easley: “I em so upsat abowt this krasiness going on in R town. The Blackwell guverment rund everthang 4 the people’s who lives their.”

Patrick Sullivan: “We will rebuild.”

Shantel Johns: “I think they are just trying to get people to buy it up and hoard it like toilet paper to get sales.”

Anissa Vest: “Is this for real?? What is going to motivate me to wake up in the mornings if this goes out of stock.”

Chris Smith: “I got enough for a couple of weeks. … I hope.”

Reba Newton: “What?! The Dr. is no longer going to be making house calls?”

Janie DeWitt: “I haven’t found any issues with getting Dr Pepper yet and if I do I’m probably going to die..”

Jeffery Cher-Aime: “Time to bootleg some Dr Pepper.”

Theron Falstaff: “Haven’t experienced one, thank heavens!”

Patti Carmack: “As I do not drink ‘soda pop’ regularly it makes no difference to me. I like fountain drinks when I do want the taste. Do not think there are places which have fountain type drinks anymore because I am older than dirt.”

Tracee Bonewell: “Oh this will not be good! I have to have one every morning before school!”

Sherrie Oder: “My Husband will have withdrawal, this is not a good subject! No, Dr. Thunder is not a substitute!”

Jay Rickel: “I bet it's a sale tactic so Dr. Pepper can get a surge in sales.”

Roxy Pease: “Ask my mom. It’s her breakfast of champions.”

Terril Hankins: “I drink Diet Cherry Dr. Pepper like it’s water. It’s my coffee in the morning and my relaxer at night. And I can’t buy it anywhere by the case.”

Linda Miller: “I get sick on DP when I was much younger and have not liked it since. It could have been mixed with something (can’t remember back that far).”

Raelene Kincaid: “My daughter says hard to find in Enid, so I stocked her up. Blackwell seems to have plenty. Oh and hard to find ink for their printer. So once again Mom to the rescue. Yep Blackwell Walmart had it!! Go figure.”

Pam Campbell: “I only drink DR PEPPER! It's my caffeine!”

Will Dr. Pepper return to store shelves soon? Time will tell. But in the meantime, hold what you’ve got. Right now, the doctor is not in.