Ole Waterin’ Hole offers customizable dirty sodas, energy drinks in downtown Marion
The Ole Waterin’ Hole is owned and operated by Alexis Arrowood and specializes in serving nonalcoholic dirty sodas and dirty energy drinks.
This intimate grab-and-go business is located at 110 E. Court St. in the small wooden structure right beside the old House Theater.
“The cream is what makes it labeled as a dirty soda,” owner Alexis Arrowood said. “I create my own little flavors and add them to the menu.”
The Cactus Cooler is one of the many drinks served by the Ole Waterin’ Hole.
The Ole Waterin’ Hole at 110 E. Court St. doesn’t have indoor seating since most of the customers are grabbing a drink on the go. “They’re picking up a drink for work, or they are taking their kids somewhere,” owner Alexis Arrowood said.
In a little building in downtown Marion, you will find a cozy place to grab a cold, refreshing dirty soda or dirty energy drink to help quench your thirst and give you that extra boost to start the day.
That cozy place is the Ole Waterin’ Hole. You can find it at 110 E. Court St. in the small wooden structure right beside the old House Theater. This intimate grab-and-go business is owned and operated by Alexis Arrowood.
The Ole Waterin’ Hole specializes in serving nonalcoholic dirty sodas and dirty energy drinks.
Dirty sodas are soft drinks that are mixed or topped with syrup, juice or cream. Most soda shops have a menu full of combinations. The same is true for the dirty energy drinks. One of the most popular soda shops in the United States offers choices like Dirty Dr. Pepper (Dr. Pepper with coconut syrup) or Island Time (Fresca with passion fruit syrup, fresh orange, mango puree and coconut cream). They don’t contain any alcohol but do have a variety of ingredients. Popular choices for a base soda can include Diet Coke and Dr. Pepper, but can have any number of added flavors. The soda may also be topped with a wedge of lime or a cherry, according to online sources.
“The cream is what makes it labeled as a dirty soda,” Arrowood said. “I create my own little flavors and add them to the menu.”
Arrowood said she got started with the dirty soda/dirty energy drink business because of her grandparents.
“My grandparents moved to Montana, and (the drinks) are very well known in Montana, and I just wanted to try them,” she said.
“... My grandparents were sending me pictures of them,” she said. “So, I decided to start making them and I fell in love with it and I wanted to try selling them.”
She opened her business, the Ole Waterin’ Hole, on April 3 in the little building beside the former House Theater. Its motto is “Small town drinks, big flavor.”
Arrowood operated a mobile drink trailer for eight months before opening her shop. She celebrated one year of doing business in July of this year.
Her long menu contains such items as Pineapple Bandit (Coca Cola, pineapple, cherry and cream), Cowgirl Crush (Sprite, peach, raspberry, strawberry and cream), Cowboy Cooler (Mountain Dew, peach vanilla, coconut cream), Peach Crumble (Dr. Pepper, peach, vanilla and cream), Galaxy Wrangler (Cosmic Stardust Alani, red raspberry, blue raspberry and cream), Blue Ridge Sunrise (Red Bull, mango, strawberry and orange juice), Diamond of the South (cherry twist Alani, coconut, pineapple and cream) and Sour Gummy Worm (blue slush Alani, strawberry, watermelon, lemonade and coconut cream). Those are just a few items on her extensive menu.
“I create my own little flavors and add them to the menu,” she said. “I started out with just seasonal menus, and it became such a big hit that I made just one big (menu). I have all the different flavors of the Alanis and all the different Red Bulls.”
Her location at 110 E. Court St. doesn’t have indoor seating since most of her customers are grabbing a drink on the go.
“They’re picking up a drink for work, or they are taking their kids somewhere,” she said.
The Ole Waterin’ Hole is open on Tuesdays through Fridays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and is closed on most Saturdays. But it is usually open on certain Saturdays during festivals like the WNC Bigfoot Festival. It is closed every Sunday and Monday.
Many of Arrowood’s customers have left some rave reviews on the business’ Facebook page.
“First visit this morning and the drinks are so good! Will definitely be back,” wrote Misty and William Morris.
“She is genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met,” wrote Shilah Gage. “I look forward to stopping by and grabbing a drink every week! You can customize any of the drinks and there are SOOOO many options. She also has sugar free flavors, which I thought was very considerate. DEFINITELY stop by if you get the chance!
“Great drinks, the energy drinks like Lights and Sirens or Cherry Blossom are the best!” wrote Kyle Arrowood.
“I’ve not disliked a single drink that I’ve tried,” wrote Christina Watkins. “Alexis is sweet as can be and is so thoughtful. One of my favorite local places to support!”
“I had the Peach Ring drink at the Fall Festival and it was amazing!” wrote MacKenzie Buchanan. “Thank you for the pick me up after chasing kids around!”
“I do stay pretty busy, and I have some pretty consistent clients,” Arrowood said.
For more information, visit the Facebook page at www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577269721522.
