Tar Heels, rejoice! Cheerwine, one of our state's indigenous delicacies, is now available in the ATL.

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Christopher Gallo/Budget Living Media

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"Our first ship date to Atlanta was early to mid-May. It's now starting to appear on shelves," said Tom Barbitta, vice president of marketing for the Salisbury, N.C.-based company. "We're thrilled we're going to be moving into Atlanta."

Even though this is Coca-Cola's back yard, the brand's hoping Atlantans will be thrilled right back at welcoming the cherry-flavored soft drink into their midst. Founded in 1917 and still family-owned, the brand has a quirky, devoted following. Nothing bonds two Cackalacky transplants like a cold Cheerwine — especially one cracked open next to a barbecue sandwich with vinegar-based sauce and slaw on top. And road trips north often involve a stop to stock up.

"Cheerwine was always my first beverage of choice, said Steve Dettbarn, who grew up in Boone, N.C. "The excitement of moving to Atlanta was a bit clouded by the fact that I could not find my beloved Cheerwine."

Hope Branicki, originally of Asheville, N.C., received word of Cheerwine's entry into the Atlanta market like manna from heaven.

"Praise the Lord and pass the Cheerwine!" she said. "There was nothing better in the summer in Carolina than going to the local gas station and getting a frosty glass bottle of cheerwine from the soda machine. You just popped the top off on the side of the machine, and heaven! Pair it with some good vinegar-based barbecue — yummy!"

Cheerwiners are something of a fraternity, Barbitta said. The brand has its own Facebook page and its puckish Web site (cheerwine.com) has spoof news reports detailing devotees' efforts at scoring their favorite drink.

"Is a possible Cheerwine shortage being created by Yankees buying large quantities of Cheerwine to bring back North?" screams a farcical "news bulletin" on the site.

Barbitta, who's a New Yorker but sounds pleasant enough nonetheless, says the nectar of the Old North State is being stocked in metro Atlanta Wal-mart, Kroger, Publix, Ingles, and Food Lion stores, with plans to roll out in smaller convenience stores next. Cheerwine is available in 20 states, including California but mostly east of the Mississippi, Barbitta said.

The brand isn't dreaming of conquering Coke's stronghold on its hometown, but does look to please its fan base and add some devotees.

"We are not a ubiquitous cola," Barbitta said. "Everyone knows who Coca-Cola is. Not everyone knows who Cheerwine is."

Not yet, maybe.

www.cheerwine.com