Item Overview Bert Mills Corporation “Coffee Bar” vending machine, Model 200, manufactured in Lombard, Illinois, circa 1950s. This freestanding commercial unit measures approximately 70 inches tall (excluding the “Hot Coffee” top sign) with a 26 x 22 inch base.
The cabinet retains its original maroonish finish with contrasting trim and period “Coffee Bar” script graphics on the front. The top-mounted “Hot Coffee” sign is present. Front service panel includes coin mechanism plate and dispensing compartment.
Data plate indicates:
115 Volt
60 Cycle
1 Phase
1350 Watts
12 Amps
Maximum Water Pressure 75 lbs
Model No. 200
Serial No. 4027
Untested. Interior components appear present, though the machine has not been powered on or evaluated for functionality.
Historical Context The Bert Mills Corporation of Lombard, Illinois, was a mid-20th-century manufacturer of commercial coffee vending equipment. During the 1940s–1950s, countertop and freestanding coffee vending machines became increasingly common in factories, offices, bus stations, and other public spaces. These machines reflect the postwar expansion of automated food service and coin-operated convenience equipment in the United States.
Model 200 examples are typical of the streamlined industrial styling of the era, combining functional steel cabinetry with simple mid-century graphics.
Condition Notes
Untested; operational status unknown
Original paint and graphics present
Surface wear, scratches, and minor finish loss consistent with age
