A hangout for young and old in Salem is getting a financial boost to let more people enjoy the ice cream and soft drinks they’ve been serving for the past three years.

Kast Iron Soda Works has been awarded a $10,000 Backing Small Businesses Enhancement Grant through American Express and Main Street America

Owners of the soda fountain and game lounge say the grant will help them remodel the back entrance at 420 East State Street and expand seating to an outdoor patio.

In addition to serving root beer and root beer floats, Kast Iron serves a myriad of sodas including flavors like Rocket Pop and Citrus Hibiscus Cream.

The ice cream is also out of the ordinary for those who have a taste for flavors like Maple Candied Bacon.

Kast Iron Soda is among 500 small businesses around the country awarded grants by American Express and Main Street America.

The program was launched in 2021 to help economically vulnerable small business owners recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and grow their businesses.