Greensboro's Battleground Avenue is about to get a serious sugar rush. Float Dirty Soda and Ice Cream, a new project from the team behind The Daily Grind in Burlington, is set to take over 1013 Battleground Ave with an eye on an August 2026 opening. Owners Chase Strange and Emily Baker plan to mash up retro soda-fountain vibes with modern dirty-soda creations, plus popcorn and simple snacks. Think sea-foam, orange and pink on the walls, housemade syrups behind the counter, and sugar-free menu options for anyone who wants the fun without all the sugar. Word of the concept has already caught the attention of Triad food watchers who track local openings.
According to What Now Charlotte, the news first surfaced via the Triad Business Journal and included comments from the owners. Strange told What Now Charlotte that "we wanted to take the idea of the modern dirty soda and combine it with the old-school soda fountain," a hybrid he says will help Float stand out from more straightforward soda shops. The outlet also notes that Strange and Baker already operate The Daily Grind in Burlington and see Float as a family-friendly stop along Battleground Avenue.
Dirty soda’s wider moment
The concept taps into a national surge in customized nonalcoholic drinks that food-industry observers say has officially gone mainstream. Nation’s Restaurant News reports that Utah brands such as Swig helped push creamy, syrup-forward sodas into the spotlight, and that larger chains are now testing their own riffs as demand for nonalcoholic choices grows. That momentum has opened the door for independent operators to play with flavor combinations, drive-thru formats, and highly photogenic presentations.
Menu and mood
The What Now Charlotte report notes that Float's menu is expected to feature an extensive lineup of syrups and housemade flavors, along with sugar-free options. There will also be build-your-own popcorn with drizzles and candy, plus pretzel bites and cookies for anyone who wants a snack with their soda. Strange and Baker are planning a bright, vintage-soda look in sea-foam, orange and pink that they believe will make Float a highly photo-friendly stop. Baker told the outlet the pair would like to grow the concept into drive-thru-only spots and additional Triad locations if customers respond.
With a targeted August opening, Float will join a wave of specialty beverage concepts testing the dirty-soda trend outside the Mountain West and will add one more independent to Battleground Avenue's growing roster. The owners say they want Float to feel like a neighborhood hangout first and, if the demand is there, a small Triad brand second. We will share confirmed opening dates and build-out updates as they come together.
