Iconic Alabama soda fountain lauded as a summer must-stop by Garden & Gun
The historic shop offers sandwiches, sundaes, and a beloved Thursday special where seniors pay just a nickel per scoop of ice cream.
Mason Reed 
Summer is officially here, and there is no better way to beat the heat than by visiting one of the South's most storied gems. Alabama's oldest soda fountain recently earned high praise from Garden & Gun, which named the shop a "historic soda shop worth seeking out this summer."
A Century and a Half of History
Payne’s Soda Fountain & Sandwich Shop in Scottsboro, Ala., has been a community staple for more than 150 years. The landmark shop, recently highlighted in a feature on historic soda shops by Garden & Gun, continues to draw a crowd of both loyal locals and curious travelers.
More Than Just Ice Cream
While the atmosphere is pure retro-nostalgia, the menu is packed with crowd-pleasers. Visitors can grab lunch featuring a classic Reuben, pimento cheese, barbecue ham sliders, hot dogs, or a fresh salad. Of course, no visit to Payne's is complete without diving into one of their signature sundaes.
A Refreshing Tradition
The roots of the business run deep. Originally established as a pharmacy and dry goods store in 1869, Payne's made a name for itself in the 1920s by becoming the first location in Jackson County to serve Coca-Cola. Today, that history is paired with a delightful, budget-friendly tradition: every Thursday afternoon, senior citizens can purchase ice cream for just a nickel per scoop.
"So many regulars will stay awhile visiting with friends or running into old classmates," says general manager Jessica Walton. "It’s particularly fun when someone who doesn’t know about the special comes up to pay and gets hit with sticker shock, but in a good way."
See the Full List
Payne’s was featured alongside other Southern icons, including:
- Pitt Street Pharmacy in Mount Pleasant, S.C.
- Star Drug Store in Galveston, Texas
- Borroum’s Drug Store & Soda Fountain in Corinth, Miss.
- Old Town Slidell Soda Shop in Slidell, La.
Payne’s Soda Fountain & Sandwich Shop is located at 101 E. Laurel Street in Scottsboro. It is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Follow them on Facebook here.
