Maggie’s Soda: Reviving Old-Time Flavor

By: Kirstin Spanu

Matt and Ben, a father-son team, own Maggie’s Downtown, a local, veteran-owned eatery on historic Caroline Street in Fredericksburg, Virginia. This cozy spot, located in a building that has been a grocery store and shoe shop over the years, serves up classic sub sandwiches and nostalgic lunch favorites.

Inside, Maggie’s Downtown is filled with relics from the past: Civil War-era currency, wooden shoe molds, metal egg crates, and black-and-white panoramas of Fredericksburg. “You can tell by the decor in the place that we have that old-timey feel,” says Ben. It’s that vintage charm that inspired their new soda line, reminiscent of the days of fountain drinks served straight from the tap.

When no local vendor could provide the old-fashioned keg soda he envisioned, Ben drew on his beer-brewing knowledge to bring the Maggie’s soda dream to life. “The first batch wasn’t really that good,” Ben admits, “but we’ve finally locked down our recipe and made something we can be proud of.” Maggie’s now offers root beer, ginger ale, cream soda, and limited-edition flavors like ginger ale heat and orange dream, available on draft and bottled.

Maggie’s sodas stand out for their commitment to natural ingredients, steering clear of common additives in commercial sodas. “We don’t use corn syrup to sweeten, or glycerin to keep the flavor on your tongue,” Ben explains. Instead, they use honey and sugar, and opt for real vanilla over artificial or imitation options. “That was something that was really important to us. That’s what makes us different.”

“What also makes us different is that our sodas are made in Fredericksburg, by real people from Fredericksburg,” adds Matt.

For the father-son duo, Fredericksburg Food Co-op was an obvious choice for a partnership—and, currently, it is the only grocery store offering Maggie’s sodas. “The Food Co-op is a very community-focused and driven business, and so are we,” says Ben. “We’re super excited to include the Co-op as one of our family members now and we look forward to a bright, bright future.”

Whether enjoyed on their own, in a float, or as a mixer, Maggie’s sodas offer a refreshing, local alternative to mass-produced beverages. Stop by the Fredericksburg Food Co-op today to try this more natural, local favorite.

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