On April 24, opening day brought a crowd to the new soda shop in Westfield. As people walked in, they were met with bright lights, sugary aromas and a menu full of unique drinks. The atmosphere feels fun, fresh and full of energy.
Fizzy Pop is replacing the retail store Claire’s at 141 East Broad St. and is an ‘80s-themed cafe that offers a wide variety of drinks and treats, including creative dirty sodas, rich milkshakes, classic floats and other fun options.
Dirty soda first originated over a decade ago in Utah, where a high population of Mormon members abstain from alcohol and drinks like tea and coffee. They popularized dirty soda as an alternative to these social vices. It is a customized beverage made by adding flavored syrups, creamer and sometimes fresh fruit or citrus to a standard soda base.
Dirty soda shops have been popular in large chains across the western United States and have only recently started making their way to the East Coast.
Dirty soda’s introduction to Westfield is largely thanks to Chris Medina, the owner of the new shop, and his grandfather, Arnd Bollhardt, who helped bring the concept to Westfield. Medina told TapIntoWestfield, “Out West, dirty sodas are everywhere; it’s like Starbucks. Their popularity is making its way across the country.”
The moment we walked in, we were met with vibrant colors, old soda company logos, colorful walls and a fun seating area. Patrons can order from two electronic kiosks, but the only downside is there are no photos or descriptions of the menu items, so it can be a bit of a mystery to know what you are getting.
The staff was welcoming and able to provide further information and recommendations about what the store has to offer. We tried the Coca-Cola Signature Sodas: a D.C. Comics, a combination of Diet Coke with coconut flavoring and a lemon, and a Cokeconut, a blend of Coke with coconut milk. The drinks are around $4.50-7.00 depending on what you get or add to the drink.
One of the coolest parts of the store, though, is that you get to watch your drink being made, and our drinks were ready within five minutes. We both thought the coconut flavoring was slightly overbearing but we agreed that the soda itself was refreshing.
Despite a large rush of middle school students on opening day, Medina was handing out complimentary cookies for everyone. As the shop gains traction in Westfield, we’re eager to return and try what else it has to offer, and we definitely recommend everyone check it out.