Katie Hightower
On Jan. 6, Jackson County’s own Payne’s Soda Fountain was recognized in an article by Southern Living magazine as one of the 12 Best Retro Diners in the South. Payne’s was the only diner from Alabama in the article by Tara Massouleh McCay.
Owner, Lisa Garrett, was surprised when she learned of the recognition.
“I had no idea we were even going to be in the magazine. My mom saw the article online and sent it to me,” Garrett said. “I cried a little. It’s a big honor to see Payne’s get recognized in such a big article.”
This year wasn’t the only time Payne’s gained recognition in the national magazine. Payne’s was featured in another Southern Living article during the 2020 COVID Pandemic.
“We were temporarily closed at that time but people held on to their magazines and came here when we reopened. Some came all the way from Florida,” Garrett said.
Payne’s was established in 1869 as a drug store and later became famous as a soda fountain. It was one of the first businesses in Jackson County to serve Coca-Cola. After over a century of serving the people of Jackson County, the pharmacy portion of the store closed but the diner and soda fountain remained open and continued to build memories of the community.
“I bought the business in 2013 because I love preserving history for the city of Scottsboro,” Garrett said. “There’s not a person alive in this area without memories here.”
In 2020, Garrett had to make the difficult decision to remove the original soda fountain because of a major leak. To keep the memory of the original fountain alive, the spout from the original fountain was kept on the bar.
“It was always here when the pharmacy was here,” Garrett said.
Removing the soda fountain wasn’t the only major change Payne’s saw in its existence. The side window of Payne’s was the result of a car that crashed into the side of the building. Instead of rebuilding the wall, the owner decided to install a window and a door.
In recent years, artist, Sonya Clemons, painted a mural on the wall of Payne’s which showcased the city of Scottsboro and Jackson County. The artwork detailed the history of Payne’s and its role in Scottsboro’s history.
The atmosphere has regularly attracted many tourists. “In the summer, it’s crazy here. It’s a big tourist destination and people form all over will come here,” said Garrett.
David Sloan who lives just north of Birmingham, regularly traveled to Scottsboro just to eat at Payne’s.
“The food is great. The atmosphere is great. Prices are great but the best part is the people. I’ve never been here and seen anyone having a bad day,” Sloan said.
Kathleen Rico who has worked at Payne’s for over eight years said, “It’s like my second family. Lisa is like my adopted mother. If I wasn’t working here, I don’t know where I would be.”
The attention the Southern Living article brought to Payne’s was greatly appreciated by the entire staff.
“I think it is wonderful they recognized us,” Garrett said.
