The St. Louis metro area will soon have its first homegrown dirty soda storefront, thanks to one of the genre’s brightest up-and-coming brands. The Fizz Factory (1560 Veterans Memorial) which was founded last year and has been doing pop-ups since this July, is slated to open in St. Charles in January.
The brand was founded by Jessica Blanc, a respiratory therapist-turned beverage entrepreneur who sees her business as much more than a way to quench her customers’ thirst; she sees it as a vehicle for making her little corner of the world a better place.
“I think happiness stems from doing things that bring others joy and giving back, taking what you bring in and doing good with it,” says Blanc. “If I can take the opportunities I’ve been given and share that with other people, that will bring me more joy than any amount of money.”
The Space
Ever since she began thinking of starting a dirty soda business last year, Blanc knew that she wanted a brick-and-mortar location to be part of the equation. She assumed it would take her a while to get there and anticipated doing pop-ups and special events until she gained enough momentum to realize that goal. Things quickly accelerated for Blanc and The Fizz Factory, however, after she connected with an established entrepreneur at a charity event where she was serving her dirty sodas. He was so impressed with her drinks and brand that he insisted she look at a building he owned to see if it might be the right fit. Not only was the building perfect for what she wanted to do, but he also offered to help her secure the funding to open the business.
“It kind of threw me for a loop—but in a good way,” says Blanc. “I assumed we’d have to work our tail off for a long time before we could make this happen, but then everything just lined up. I feel like once I chose this path, everything just started flowing.”
Blanc is excited to convert the white-box space into her vision for an inviting, vibrant place where people can relax and connect. She describes the aesthetic as industrial-meets-vintage; the main color will be bright pink, and the ceilings and lighting will have an industrial feel. A greenery wall, with a neon sign and swing hanging from the ceiling, will add a whimsical touch, as will the old-fashioned soda fountain counter, where guests can interact with the people making their drinks.
“It’s definitely going to be a vibe,” says Blanc. “I’ve thought long and hard about this, and I feel like our community needs a place for people to go—whether that’s moms with toddlers, teens, older men, or women—that isn’t sterile and invites you to stay. We will have tables and kids tables and board games; our aesthetic is going to be out of this world.”
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The Menu
Blanc has spent the past year developing a menu of dirty sodas that reflect her personality and preferences, and she’s excited to share them with guests. Currently, she offers roughly 50 composed concoctions—everything from the Basic B (made with Dr. Pepper and cream) to the Cardinal Fizz (a Coke-based drink with cherry, raspberry, fresh lime, and coconut cream). She offers both Coke and Pepsi products—something she’s able to do because she is purchasing her soda machines outright—and is proud to partner with local favorite Excel Bottling Company. Guests can use any of these sodas or seltzers as a starting point, then customize their own drinks based on their preferences.
In addition to dirty sodas, The Fizz Factory will offer a variety of other beverages, including lemonades, hot chocolates, ciders, coffee, teas, and energy drinks. Blanc is especially excited about a butterfly pea flower tea that changes colors when citrus is added, and she’s looking into wellness shots that can be taken on their own or incorporated into the drinks.
The Fizz Factory will offer a small selection of snacks. Although Blanc is still finalizing the menu, she can confirm that it will contain cheese curds and pretzel bites. She’s also excited to offer baked goods made by a friend and former colleague who recently launched a small-batch bakery.
“We worked at Children’s [Hospital] together, and she started her baking business when I started making sodas,” Blanc says. “We made a pact that we would support one another, so I am selling her products under her brand. I feel like someone is currently taking a huge chance on me, and I want to pay that forward when I have the opportunity to do so.”
The Mission
Philanthropy is at the heart of The Fizz Factory. “I feel like so many companies start with a positive intention and then along the way lose that purpose because of money and profit,” says Blanc. “We live in a world where everybody wants to make as much money as possible; while it is obviously important to make money, I don’t think that happiness comes from how much wealth you bring in. You can’t take that with you, but you can take with you the impact you’ve left and what you’ve done for others. That is a legacy that can’t be replaced.”
To that end, Blanc is already giving back to the community by donating a portion of proceeds from the drinks to philanthropic organizations across town. Currently, in honor of Suicide Prevention Month, she is giving one dollar of every Afterglow soda sold to Places for People. She’s also instituted a “buy one-gift one” program, so customers can gift a dirty soda to those who can’t afford one on their own. She’s also made sure to provide affordable offerings, including a $4 Student Sip.
Additionally, Blanc plans to start a scholarship fund. “It won’t be based on GPA or grades but will be based on a person’s story, why they are going to school and what their mission is,” says Blanc.
The Backstory
Blanc went to school for respiratory therapy and had been practicing at hospitals across town, most recently at St. Louis Children’s Hospital, where she had a successful career and loved her work. However, she could not shake the feeling that something was missing, she recalls, and felt the pull of entrepreneurship. It was around the same time that she fell in love with dirty sodas, after learning about them through TikTok, well before the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives popularized the beverage. Taking inspiration from her father, who owned his own small business, Blanc founded The Fizz Factory last year and has been working to develop her recipes and brand—something she believes will have staying power, despite its trendy origins.
“One thing that I have realized about this younger generation of adults is that they are tending to gravitate more toward healthier alternatives, rather than drinking alcohol. I think that as a society we are looking to incorporate other ways to have fun in our nighttime lives. Plus, there is so much customization with dirty sodas that they can be changed and reinvented over and over again.”
The Fizz Factory
📍1560 Veterans Memorial, St. Charles
📞618-402-7699
⏰ Tentatively 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. daily
Hear more about dirty soda and other food trends on the Arch Eats podcast.
