PAYSON – A new drink and snack shop in Payson is gaining popularity as a hangout spot for people of all ages.

“I grew up in Payson, and back then we had a lot of hangouts that have disappeared,” said Jill Stewart, one of the owners of the popular Payson Sip-N Spot, known locally as Sip-N.

“When you can get a cookie or a drink with friends and just hang out it’s fun, and that is what we are creating here at Sip-N.”

Stewart, her husband Justin Stewart, and their friends Holly and Kenion Davis have designed their restaurant to be a friendly place where people can relax and connect as they treat themselves to a “dirty” soda and a variety of treats.

“I’ve always liked to bake and I grew up making peanut butter bars and cinnamon rolls with my mom,” Jill Stewart said. “We sell those, but our most popular cookie is the soft sugar cookie with pink frosting.”

They have more than 20 varieties of soda-based drinks called “Sip-N Favs.” Diet Coke or Dr. Pepper with coconut syrup and lime are staple favorites with mixology fans, but the drinks named for local school mascots are best sellers.

Mascot drinks include Lion’s Roar (Mountain Dew and mango puree), Skyhawk (Dr. Pepper, tiger’s blood syrup and vanilla), The Don (Mountain Dew Code Red, coconut syrup and cream) and The Devil (Dr. Pepper, coconut syrup, sherry syrup and cream).

“The kids will come in from another school and almost whisper the name of their favorite drink if it has another school’s mascot in the name,” Jill Stewart said. “I reassure them that their secret’s safe with me.”

Most of the customers in the restaurant come from Payson High School and Payson Junior High, located just south of Sip-N. They enjoy coming over after school with friends to get a drink and a snack.

“I come over after football practice five times a week with a bunch of my friends,” said Payson Junior High student McKay Palmer, 14.

Zach Adams, 14, only comes Fridays after school from Payson Junior High. He was enjoying a free cookie and a special musical serenade.

“It’s my birthday today so they are singing to me,” Adams said. “It’s a great place to hang out with all your friends after school and have a snack.”

Celeste Treanor is the manager who works alongside the Stewart and Davis families every day. She has been in the restaurant business for many years, but Sip-N is one of her favorite jobs.

“It’s a fun atmosphere here,” Treanor said. “I like being close to the high school and junior high. I get to see my son Donovan every day after school, which is fun, too.

“I think parents like having a safe place for kids to come, with responsible people to keep an eye on them.”

The Stewarts and the Davis’s have been surprised at how popular their drink and treat stop has become. Before they opened in March, they were experimenting with exterior paint colors and ended up repainting after Facebook comments.

“We had our Facebook page up before we opened and we ended up painting the building three times because of comments from people who drove by,” said Kenion Davis. “Someone asked if we were opening a Mexican restaurant so we changed our paint again, and then finally we all agreed we like the blue and chevron stripes.”

The owners were surprised their Facebook page had 3,000 hits before Sip-N even opened. They had a five-star rating as soon as they held their grand opening, and have continued to have community support.

“Social media has been huge for us,” Kenion Davis said. “Everybody comes and sits on the Sip-N bench, then posts on Instagram. We’ve had prom dates, missionaries and even weddings come in and then post their photo with a Sip-N hashtag.”

Holly Davis is a nurse, but she enjoys her new job at the drive-up window — despite working more than 12 hours some days.

“I love to be at the window and talk to all the people who come here because they’re so happy,” Holly Davis said. “I get to talk to people and they love our menu of custom drinks. One lady comes through every day and gets an ice water with fresh pineapple and crushed ice.”

Amanda and Adam Leach drive over from Santaquin every day for their custom drink. In fact, they are such regular customers that they have their own “button” on the computer.

“I have my own button because I come here so often,” Amanda Leach said. “It’s a Diet Coke with one-quarter carbonated water and then coconut syrup. It’s the best drink.”

“No, it’s the second-best drink,” countered her husband Adam. “The best is the drink with my nickname ‘Bear’ on it. It’s Sprite, blackberry syrup and a lot of heavy cream.

“My friend asked for a ‘Bear’ at another drink drive-up, but of course they didn’t have it.”

For treat fans who want something sweet, Sip-N has cookies, brownies, donuts and ice cream. For snackers who want something salty, the restaurant also has fries.

For those with special dietary restrictions Sip-N offers fruit smoothies, add-ins like immunity blends and gluten-free cookies.

“Sip-N appeals to everyone and it’s really popular with the kids who come here after school,” Justin Stewart said. “But it’s also a place where parents and grandparents and kids can come to have fun together and bond.”