Screamers Soda plans first Southern California shop in Upland

Screamers Soda will open its first brick-and-mortar location in Downtown Upland, bringing customizable dirty sodas, floats and matcha drinks to the Inland Empire. The company also plans to share proceeds with local youth centers and expand into catering across three Southern California counties.

Why it matters: - Screamers Soda is moving from concept to physical retail with its first Southern California storefront. - The Upland shop gives the brand a foothold in the Inland Empire, a region where soda-fountain-style concepts can tap into family traffic, nostalgia and customization trends. - The company is tying the opening to community giving by supporting local youth centers.

What happened: - Screamers Soda announced plans to open its flagship dirty soda and float shop in Downtown Upland, California. - The location will be the brand’s first brick-and-mortar presence in the Inland Empire. - The storefront will serve dirty sodas, ice cream floats, layered iced matcha drinks and kids’ milks. - Each drink will be made to order, with guests able to choose a signature recipe or build their own mix of flavors and toppings.

The details: - Dirty sodas at Screamers Soda combine fountain soda with flavored syrups, creams, fruit and other additions. - Sizes will include 10-, 16- and 24-ounce drinks, plus a 54-ounce Mega Scream. - Customization will include diet soda bases, sugar-free syrups and dairy-free alternatives. - Signature drinks will include The Big Scream, made with Dr Pepper, toasted marshmallow and vanilla, finished with a sweet cloud top. - Tennessee Twist will pair cola with peach and vanilla, also finished with a sweet cloud top, and is inspired by the founder’s Tennessee roots. - Strawberry Social will mix lemon-lime soda with strawberry and coconut, finished with a sweet cloud top. - The Scream Sampler will offer four 10-ounce drinks in one flight. - Classic floats will include root beer with vanilla bean ice cream, whipped cream and a cherry. - The Screamers name comes from the phrase “I scream, you scream,” and that theme shapes the brand’s drink names, menu development and guest experience. - The company plans to dedicate a portion of proceeds to local youth centers that support young people in recovery from drug and alcohol use. - Screamers Soda will also offer catering for corporate events, weddings, birthdays and community gatherings across San Bernardino, Los Angeles and Orange counties. - Opening details and more menu announcements will be posted at screamerssoda.com and on Instagram at @screamerssoda.

Between the lines: - The concept leans on nostalgia, but the menu is built around customization and novelty, which can broaden its appeal beyond traditional soda-shop customers. - The community-giving angle may help the brand build local goodwill as it enters a competitive food-and-beverage market. - The catering business suggests Screamers Soda wants revenue beyond foot traffic alone.

What's next: - Screamers Soda said it will share opening timing and additional menu details through its website and Instagram. - The Upland shop will be the company’s first test of whether its mix of throwback branding, made-to-order drinks and community ties can scale in Southern California.

The bottom line: - Screamers Soda is betting that a nostalgic soda shop with modern customization and local giving can win customers in Downtown Upland.