Take Me Home Soda Shoppe & Creamery brings a taste of West Virginia to WVU
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Editor's note: Take Me Home Soda Shoppe & Creamery is open now in the Mountainlair. The community is invited to the official grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony at 1 p.m. Wednesday.
MORGANTOWN -- The phrase "take me home" holds a special meaning in West Virginia. It evokes familiar mountains, meaningful traditions and a feeling of knowing where you belong.
That sense of connection inspired Take Me Home Soda Shoppe & Creamery, a concept developed by Elior's local leadership at the West Virginia University Mountainlair.
The shop celebrates the Mountain State with West Virginia-made ice cream, specialty dirty sodas, and flavors inspired by home.
Elior Collegiate Dining leaders with roots throughout West Virginia were tasked with developing a concept that would offer something new and engaging for WVU students while celebrating the state they call home. The result is a concept centered on local pride, community, and creating memorable experiences on campus.
The menu begins with ice cream made in West Virginia and supplied by A.F. Wendling. Chef Noah Fraley, a Richwood native, helped develop the menu and culinary vision, incorporating classic ice cream shop favorites alongside rotating flavors with names inspired by the Mountain State, including Coal Rush, Wild and Wonderful, and Black Bear Tracks.
Take Me Home also offers a signature lineup of dirty sodas, combining familiar beverages with flavored syrups, sweet cream, and unique toppings. West Virginia-inspired selections include Almost Heaven Lemonade, Blue and Gold Lemonade, and the energy-packed Blue Ridge Boost, along with creations such as Life's a Peach, Cherry Blossom, Rootbeer Revival, Sunset Dream, and Cherry Coke Trail.
Several West Virginia natives helped shape the concept from idea to operation. Kylie Harrison of Buckhannon helped establish staffing and back-of-house standards while refining the signature dirty soda lineup. Brennah Groves of Summersville developed nutritional information for the menu and helped ensure vegan vanilla ice cream is always available, providing an additional option for students with dietary preferences and needs.
The West Virginia influence also extends to the concept's identity and atmosphere. Danielle Rudash, a Morgantown native, collaborated with WVU to develop the marketing, branding, and overall experience, creating a space that celebrates West Virginia while maintaining a fresh and energetic feel for WVU students.
The meaning behind Take Me Home extends beyond its menu and design. Its name is an intentional nod to the song synonymous with the Mountain State and the sense of home, belonging and pride it represents.
Whether stopping in between classes, meeting friends for ice cream, or trying a new specialty soda, Take Me Home offers another place for the WVU community to gather and enjoy something distinctly West Virginian.
Take Me Home Soda Shoppe & Creamery is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. inside the Mountainlair. Take Me Home pop-ups will also be featured during WVUp All Night, extending the experience into one of the University's longstanding student traditions.