Biz Buzz: New soda barn offers quick and easy way to sweeten your palate
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Do you want to know what’s happening on the eastern Idaho business scene? We’ve got you covered.
Here is a rundown of this week’s business news across the valley.
BIZ BRIEF
IDAHO FALLS
Shop offering more than 40 different drink flavors doing well after 3 months of business
IDAHO FALLS – Last fall, Jared Sloan and his nephew Brandon Norman were looking for a new business opportunity. So they went into business together and opened JB’s Soda Barn in Idaho Falls.
Sloan, the owner and managing partner of the Soda Barn, tells EastIdahoNews.com the quick and easy service aspect of the soda business was appealing to him and has done well since it opened in October.
“We just saw a real need to serve the community in (such a way) that people won’t have to go on the east side or west side of town to get this type of service. So we thought we’d (open up) right here in the middle,” says Sloan.
JB’s Soda Barn is in an 8-foot by 15-foot building on the east end of the parking lot where Planet Doom and Bowl-Ero are located on First Street. It offers an assortment of treats, including flavored soda and lemonade. About 40 different flavors of syrups and purees are available, along with hot chocolate, cider, and other hot drinks. It also offers cookies, candy, and popcorn.
The popcorn is made fresh daily in-house and the cookies are delivered fresh from a local bakery. Sloan says they’ll be adding pretzels, hot dogs and nachos to the menu in the near future.
Trevor Stommel, a company employee, says soda, by far, is their most popular item. The busiest time of day is between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m., he says.
“It’s so fun to visit with people on a daily basis and learn a little bit about them,” says Sloan. “It’s amazing how a sweet treat can brighten someone’s day.”
Sloan says he’s planning to open new locations and would like to see dozens of soda barn locations throughout eastern Idaho. He’s also looking into a delivery and catering service.
“I grew up in this area. I went to Idaho Falls High School, so we’re super excited to be supporting this area,” Sloan says.
JB’s Soda Barn is located at 698 First Street in Idaho Falls. It’s currently open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. They will keep later hours in the summer.
BIZ BITS
Local hotel receives prestigious industry award
MCCAMMON – McCammon has been home to a boutique hotel since 2014, but it recently received worldwide attention at the World Boutique Hotel Awards in London, England. The Harkness Hotel, located at 206 Center Street in McCammon, received the award for most inspired hotel design, which is considered a very prestigious award in the hotel industry. EastIdahoNews.com will post a story soon.
Bingham’s Got Talent to hold 10th annual show
BLACKFOOT – You’re invited to participate in Bingham’s Got Talent 10th annual talent show next month. The talent show is Feb. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Blackfoot Performing Arts Center. Angels Among Us — the Relay for Life team from Jason Lee Memorial United Methodist Church in Blackfoot — organizes the event. “There is so much talent around,” said Tom Drysdale, the event chairman. “It’s amazing.” READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
New assisted living center coming to Idaho Falls
IDAHO FALLS – Gables Assisted Living is opening a seventh location in eastern Idaho soon. The Post Register reports the new center is opening in March at 3400 S. 5th W. in Idaho Falls and is currently accepting applications for new tenants. There are currently two Gables Assisted Living facilities in Blackfoot and Pocatello. There is also one in Shelley and Ammon. EastIdahoNews.com will post a story soon.
Fall River Electric food drive nets nearly 3 tons of food
ASHTON – During the holiday season, Fall River Rural Electric Cooperative’s staff conducted five food drives at area grocery stores in support of local food banks. A total of 5,680 pounds of food on 13 pallets were recently delivered to four regional food banks including the food bank in Rexburg operated by Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership, the North Fremont Food Pantry in Ashton, Teton Valley Food Pantry in Driggs and the social services office in West Yellowstone, Montana. In addition to the nonperishable food donated, the food pantries shared $1,251.33 in cash donations from individuals and local businesses, plus another $250 contributed by Fall River Electric to each food bank.
PUMP PRICES
IDAHOANS KEEP SAVING AS PUMP PRICES PLUMMET
Gem State gas prices have dropped 18 cents since the beginning of the year
BOISE – Although the national average has leveled off since the beginning of the year, Idaho gas prices have continued to slide, dropping 18 cents since January 1. The U.S. and Idaho average prices are now just thirteen cents apart, as supply continues to meet and exceed the current level of demand. As of Tuesday, the U.S. average price is $2.26, which is two cents less than a month ago and 33 cents less than a year ago. The average price in Idaho is $2.39, which is 19 cents less than a month ago and 18 cents less than a year ago. Idaho currently ranks No. 14 in the country for most expensive gas prices, but usually occupies a ranking between No. 7 and No. 9.
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