Photojournalism: Floso, south Salem’s go-to sweet treat bev spot

Perhaps you’ve seen their turquoise and hot pink truck in a Commercial Street parking lot. Maybe you’ve seen their bright beverages around campus. The fact of the matter is, Floso fever has struck Willamette to its core. Soon, the shop will shed its wheels and move into a new drive-through storefront where the truck originally parked at 2390 Commerical St. SE.

Offering dirty sodas, energy drinks and refreshers, Floso’s menu is extensive. For the more creative thirsters, they offer a make-your-own-drink option. With three kinds of cream, four purees, 28 regular syrups and 18 sugar-free syrups, flavorings are essentially endless. And don’t forget they have 14 different base sodas to choose from, including Floso’s own energy mix. Medium sodas and refreshers cost $4.50 while energy drinks go for $5.50. For large and small, just add or subtract a dollar, respectively.

Floso isn’t the first of its kind. The first dirty soda shop, Swig, opened in 2010 in St. George, Utah. Though the term “dirty” is usually used to describe alcohol, these drinks, which are heavily associated with the Church of Latter Day Saints, are only spiked with juice, syrups or flavor shots. Whether through TikTok or “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” the trend of fancy sodas caught on, making its way to Salem in Floso’s opening last year. Now, lines of cars gather in the parking lot for one purpose: a sweet treat. And as long as people fancy that sweet treat, business will be booming for this drink truck.

All photos taken at Floso on Oct. 27, 2025.

Abby Staniec ('26) handing a Peachy Pep out of the window of the truck. Photo by Patricia Krepel.

Three of Floso's most popular drinks: the Caramel Apple (fall special), Teddy (Floso Energy), and a Peachy Pep (soda). Photo by Patricia Krepel.

Mid process of a worker [Abbey Staniec ('26)] making one of Floso's most popular energy drinks, the Sunrise (Floso Energy with pineapple, peach and mango puree). Photo by Patricia Krepel.

Mid process of Floso worker [Abbey Staniec ('26)] topping off a Classic soda (Dr. Pepper with lime and coconut puree) with their vanilla creamer. Photo by Patricia Krepel.

The Floso Dirty Soda truck, currently located on 2651 Commercial St. SE while a drive-thru is built at the original location. Photo by Patricia Krepel.

Mid process of Floso worker [Abbey Staniec ('26)] topping off a signature fall drink, the Caramel Apple (Sprite with green apple, caramel sauce, topped with apple cider) with their signature caramel foam. Photo by Patricia Krepel.