Local entrepreneurs are breathing new life into Wyoming Avenue, with three standout businesses making waves in downtown Wyoming. These unique establishments have embraced fresh concepts and community spirit, setting the stage for an exciting culinary scene.
Turning to fresh ideas, we explore the flavors and experiences offered by Fizz Pop, Snow Blossom Tea Room, and Mike’s Hot Chicken.
An innovative take on soda
Fizz Pop Soda Company is the brainchild of Nicole Smith from Swoyersville, in partnership with her husband Nick.
Nicole describes their business as a blend of various inspirations. “Out west, dirty sodas are all the rage, popularized on platforms like TikTok. I took that concept and infused it with excitement by crafting unique recipes with diverse flavors and toppings,” she shared.
So, what exactly is a dirty soda?
“Imagine starting with a soda like Coca-Cola and adding flavors such as cherry, vanilla, and sweet cream. The cream and these flavors create what we call a dirty soda,” Nicole explained.
With extensive experience in the restaurant and bar industry, she was ready to embark on this entrepreneurial journey in February 2025.
“We found this space and instantly knew it was the right fit,” she recalled.
They combined two areas in the plaza, completing renovations and equipment installation over five months, culminating in a soft launch in July. The addition of a drive-thru window and a mobile trailer allowed them to participate in events like the Bloomsburg Fair and Forty Fort Fall Fest, quickly attracting a dedicated customer base.
Among their top sellers are the Texas Twist, featuring a Dr. Pepper base with vanilla, sweet cream, and maraschino cherries, and the Blue Crush—a refreshing mix of Sprite, lemonade, blue raspberry, coconut, fresh lime, and maraschino cherries, which has become a favorite among children.
However, these popular drinks are just a small selection of the Fizz Pop offerings. With an extensive menu of over 60 beverages divided into categories like refreshers, cream options, Booster Energy Drinks, and ‘Build Your Own’ possibilities, Nicole is continuously experimenting with new flavors, recently incorporating kiwi, dragon fruit, and lavender lemon.
“I enjoy crafting combinations that may seem unusual but taste delightful together,” she remarked.
An example of her innovation is the Pineapple Dole Whip—a blend of Sprite, pineapple, cupcake, coconut, and white chocolate sauce.
“It might sound odd, but the flavor harmony is incredible,” Nicole assured.
Fizz Pops begin with bases like Coke, Dr. Pepper, Mountain Dew, Root Beer, or Orange Fanta, enhanced with a range of flavors from blackberry to watermelon, and topped with fruit purees or sweet creams. Options include drink sizes of 16, 24, or 32 ounces, and they offer treats like cookies, cake pops, and brownies.
With 10 employees and plans for summer hires, Fizz Pop welcomes customers daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Discover more at fizzipop.com or on their Facebook page.
High tea with plenty of treats
Transforming a historic 115-year-old bank building into the Snow Blossom Tea Room was a labor of love for Shane Kreller and his wife, Brittany, from Sweet Valley.
After acquiring the old Wyoming Bank property in May 2024, the Krellers dedicated nearly two years to renovations.
“We identified this location as ideal for our vision,” Shane stated.
Upon opening in August 2025, they installed new water and gas lines and constructed a kitchen in the former office spaces where they prepare soups, sandwiches, and desserts to accompany the teas.
The Krellers aim to provide a British-style afternoon tea experience, inspired by Brittany’s background.
“Such tea rooms are quite popular in her native New Jersey. Although I have a finance and insurance background, Brittany introduced me to this innovative concept, and the tranquil atmosphere makes it a joy,” Shane explained.
The tea offerings encompass black and flavored black teas, as well as flavored green, caffeine-free, rooibos, honeybush, and herbal teas. Besides a walk-in lunch service featuring Light Tea and Princess Tea combos, the afternoon tea menu showcases three tiers—Queen’s Tea, Buckingham Tea, and Windsor Tea—each complemented by a pot of tea and curated lunches and desserts.
“We have various tiers available, and for the higher options, we encourage reservations due to the extensive preparation involved,” Shane noted.
The initial community response has been overwhelmingly positive.
“The local support has been amazing. Many regulars have visited, including groups from as far as Allentown,” he shared.
The name Snow Blossom reflects the middle names of Brittany and her sister, Nicole, translated from Japanese.
Snow Blossom operates Wednesday through Sunday, with the first seating at 11 a.m. and the last at 1 p.m. for tiered service and walk-in lunch options.
Featuring 30-foot ceilings, ornate plasterwork, and majestic columns, the building stands as a splendid example of period architecture in the West Side area.
During the renovations, Shane emphasized that they aimed to maintain the building’s character.
This included preserving stunning large-format murals by renowned artist Sue Hand, commissioned in 1983. One mural, measuring six feet by 17 feet, captures the Eight Street Bridge, Swetland Homestead, and Wyoming Monument, while the other, a six by 14.5-foot piece, depicts the Harry E. Breaker in Swoyersville, demolished in 1995.
“I painted the breaker from an elevated position across the road,” Hand shared. The murals showcase the artist’s skill using acrylic on stretched canvas.
For additional details, visit snowblossomtea.com, their Facebook page, or call 570-613-2338.
A unique take on hot chicken
Hot chicken is gaining traction with three chicken-focused eateries emerging or being planned in Wilkes-Barre Township and Wilkes-Barre. At Mike’s Hot Chicken on Wyoming Avenue, Mike Carannante is taking a distinctive approach.
Unlike the Wilkes-Barre franchise locations, he operates as an independent sole proprietor.
Carannante began renovations on the former Royal Bake Shop location at 295 Wyoming Ave last May.
During the remodeling process, he practiced at home, experimenting nightly with various batters and sauces.
All the sauces are original recipes developed by him.
“The recent boom of hot chicken franchises pushed us to expedite our opening,” he mentioned.
They held a soft launch for the Super Bowl as a test run.
“After that, we took a brief closure to fine-tune our operations,” he added.
Having been open for approximately six weeks now, the response has been positive.
“Business has been brisk. We started by ordering 300 buns weekly, and now we’re scaling to between 600 and 1,200 buns per week,” he reported.
“That’s just for sandwiches—my MikeWiches—excluding bowls. We are serving a significant number of customers, far beyond our initial estimations.”
Coming from a family deeply rooted in the pizza business, Carannante’s father operated Michele’s Pizza and Subs for 20 years, while other relatives own Antonio’s and Angelo’s. However, he sought to chart his own course.
“The area has an abundance of pizza places; I thought it was time to bring something new to the table,” he stated.
Mike differentiates his offerings not only from other pizza spots but also from competing hot chicken restaurants.
“Many establishments utilize frozen or pre-breaded chicken, but we prioritize serving fresh chicken and high-quality ingredients. Everything is breaded fresh to order,” he emphasized. “Moreover, we’re frying in beef tallow, which sets us apart.”
Raised in Exeter and a Dallas Area High School graduate, Carannante’s extensive kitchen experience shaped his culinary vision.
“I’ve worked in numerous kitchens and observed various methods; I wanted to create a unique experience tailored to community tastes,” he reflected.
Menu highlights include a popular mac and cheese bowl topped with chicken, alongside a wide selection of MikeWiches, bowls featuring mac and cheese or fries, chicken wings, hot sticks, and more.
For information, visit eatmikes.com, search for Mike’s Hot Chicken on Facebook, or call 570-613-2335. Mike’s is open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Key Takeaways
- Wyoming Avenue is home to three new local businesses: Fizz Pop, Snow Blossom Tea Room, and Mike’s Hot Chicken.
- Fizz Pop offers over 60 unique soda creations, including specialty drinks and a mobile event service.
- Snow Blossom Tea Room features a British-style afternoon tea experience in a historic bank building.
- Mike’s Hot Chicken emphasizes fresh ingredients and unique recipes, setting itself apart from other hot chicken franchises.
- Community support for these businesses has been strong, with a dedicated customer base emerging quickly.
FAQ
What are the hours of operation for Fizz Pop?
Fizz Pop is open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Can I make reservations at Snow Blossom Tea Room?
Yes, reservations are encouraged for the higher-tier afternoon tea options, which require more preparation time.
What makes Mike’s Hot Chicken different from other hot chicken spots?
Mike’s focuses on fresh, quality chicken and breading made to order, unlike many places that use frozen products.
Where can I find more information about these businesses?
You can visit their websites or check their Facebook pages for updates on menus, events, and hours.
