6 North Carolina Soda Shops Still Serving Up Nostalgia
Growing up in North Carolina, I’ve always had a soft spot for those charming soda shops where time seems to stand still.
There’s something magical about sliding onto a spinning stool at a marble counter, watching a soda jerk mix up a fizzy drink, and savoring that first sip of a hand-spun milkshake.
These beloved establishments aren’t just places to grab a sweet treat—they’re living museums where generations of Carolinians have made memories.
1. The Soda Shop In Davidson: Where College Students Meet History
Holy malted milkshakes, Batman! The first time I wandered into The Soda Shop in Davidson, I felt like I’d stepped through a time portal. Since 1951, this Main Street gem has been serving up egg creams and cherry Cokes to Davidson College students and locals alike.
The wooden booths, worn smooth by decades of blue-jeaned bottoms, tell stories I wish I could hear. Black and white photos of bygone college days line the walls, creating a museum-like atmosphere that complements the menu of classic American comfort food.
What keeps me coming back isn’t just the famous pimento cheese sandwich (though it’s divine), but the way the soda jerks remember regular customers’ orders. “The usual?” they’ll ask, already reaching for the chocolate syrup.
2. Ashworth Drugs: Cary’s Sweet Prescription Since 1931
Tucked away in downtown Cary, Ashworth Drugs offers a remedy no doctor could prescribe: pure, unadulterated nostalgia with a side of the best vanilla milkshake you’ll ever taste. I discovered this gem on a sweltering July afternoon when my car broke down nearby—talk about a silver lining!
The pharmacy-turned-soda-fountain has maintained its original fixtures since opening during the Great Depression. The marble countertop has witnessed first dates, business deals, and countless children experiencing their first ice cream float.
Locals swear by their famous hot dogs almost as much as their fountain creations. When you visit, don’t miss watching the staff use the original soda fountain equipment—those skilled hands make mixing a Cherry Smash look like performance art.
3. Smith’s Drugs: Forest City’s Time Capsule Of Fizz
“Y’all want extra whipped cream?” That friendly question greeted me at Smith’s Drugs when I stumbled in seeking shelter from an unexpected downpour. Little did I know I’d found not just shelter but a sanctuary of soda fountain history!
The chrome and neon backdrop of this Forest City institution screams mid-century charm. Family-owned since 1939, Smith’s combines a working pharmacy with a soda fountain that seems plucked straight from an episode of Happy Days. Their signature creation—the orangeade—is mixed by hand using a technique passed down through generations.
What tickles me most about Smith’s is how teenagers sit elbow-to-elbow with octogenarians, all enjoying the same menu items their grandparents did. The grilled pimento cheese pairs perfectly with their hand-squeezed lemonade, creating flavor memories that linger for decades.
4. Walker’s Soda Fountain: Andy Griffith’s Mayberry Haunt
Whistling the Andy Griffith Show theme song comes naturally at Walker’s Soda Fountain in Mount Airy. My spontaneous road trip to Mayberry (er, Mount Airy) wouldn’t have been complete without stopping at this slice of Americana where Andy himself might have sipped a chocolate malt.
Housed in a former pharmacy dating back to 1925, Walker’s embraces its connection to the fictional Mayberry that was inspired by this very town. Black-and-white checkered floors lead to a counter where bow-tied servers craft lime rickeys and banana splits with theatrical flair.
The menu features sandwiches named after show characters—try the “Barney Fife,” a spicy concoction that packs more punch than its namesake’s single bullet! Between bites, browse the collection of show memorabilia that transforms a simple meal into a nostalgic pilgrimage for fans of simpler times.
5. The Soda Fountain At Woolworth Walk: Art Deco Meets Art Gallery
Slurping a root beer float beneath the pressed tin ceiling of The Soda Fountain at Woolworth Walk feels positively cinematic. This Asheville treasure surprised me during an art-hunting expedition—imagine my delight finding both local artwork AND an authentic 1930s soda counter preserved within the same historic building!
Originally part of the F.W. Woolworth five-and-dime store, this fountain survived when the building transformed into an art gallery. The original marble counter and backbar remain intact, creating a time-travel experience as you perch on a red vinyl stool.
Unlike other soda shops that lean heavily on nostalgia alone, this spot bridges past and present beautifully. After enjoying their famous egg salad sandwich and a float, you can browse works by over 170 local artists. Where else can you sip a phosphate and buy a painting in the same transaction?
6. Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop: Brevard’s Blue-Ribbon Shakes
“Sweet mercy, that’s good!” The words escaped my lips involuntarily after my first sip of Rocky’s legendary chocolate malt. Nestled in downtown Brevard, Rocky’s Grill & Soda Shop occupies a lovingly restored 1941 building that has me half-expecting to see teenagers in letterman jackets walk through the door.
The jukebox in the corner isn’t just decoration—drop in a quarter and watch as families spontaneously break into dance between booths. Rocky’s specializes in frozen custard concoctions that would make a dietitian weep, but their secret weapon is the homemade hot fudge sauce that transforms an ordinary sundae into something religious.
What makes this place special beyond the food is how it serves as Brevard’s unofficial community center. After a day chasing waterfalls in nearby Pisgah National Forest, there’s nothing better than joining the locals at Rocky’s, where everybody truly does know your name—usually by your second visit.