By Jon Johnson
PIMA – Progress continues in Pima as an empty dirt lot next to Pima Elementary School is being transformed into a gourmet hot dog and custom soda drive-through, with a proposed garden center on the larger parcel.
On Wednesday, Public Works Director Evan Stringfellow and a handful of workers trenched across 100 East to access the town’s sewer to add new taps for the businesses.
Fizz + Franks
A new drive-through destination is set to elevate the local food scene with custom soda creations, gourmet hot dogs, and fresh-baked treats. Fizz + Franks has announced its upcoming opening at 50 S. 100 East in Pima, offering residents a unique menu centered around quick, handcrafted bites and beverages.
Designed around an aviation theme—promising to make “taste buds take flight”—Fizz + Franks aims to become a go-to spot for daily stopovers, road trips, and quick snacks.
On the Menu
- Signature Fizz Drinks: Custom-crafted sodas mixed to order using popular fountain drinks, specialty syrups, fresh citrus, fruit, and cream, all served over soft flake ice. The “Refreshment Terminal” menu also features energy drinks, iced coffees, and sparkling waters.
- Destination Dogs & Bowls: Gourmet hot dogs featuring bold, unexpected flavor combinations, as well as “Destination Bowls” that serve the signature hot dog toppings over crisp romaine lettuce.
- Concourse Bakery: Fresh baked goods prepared in-house daily in limited quantities with a rotating daily selection.
- Flight Sides: Classic side offerings to round out any meal, including crispy chips and slow-simmered beans.
Grand Opening Details
While official menu pricing and a specific opening date are still under wraps, the drive-through plans to operate Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Locals can stay updated on the grand opening by checking back with Fizz + Franks or by emailing fizzandfranks@gmail.com.
Peterson Landscaping’s Bear Paw Garden Center
Peterson Landscaping has acquired property adjacent to the Pima Post Office, with plans to establish
Bear Paw Garden Center to serve the Gila Valley.
Founded in 2021, Peterson Landscaping has steadily expanded its footprint across Graham County, offering custom design-build services, drip irrigation systems, and full-scale landscape maintenance. Adding a dedicated tree nursery marks a major milestone for the business, bringing a wider selection of regionally adapted trees, shrubs, and flora directly to local homeowners and commercial properties.
The new location, next to the post office off Highway 70, puts the garden center in the heart of town, making landscape planning and plant selection more accessible for residents in Pima, Safford, and Thatcher.
Plans for the center include offering classes on landscaping installation, plant care, and general gardening. The couple also envision a “demonstration garden” on-site where visitors can see how various plants grow and perform in the local climate before buying them for their own yards. They are also collaborating with local schools to establish a school and community garden area to teach students about agriculture and horticulture.
The garden center is set for a soft opening in October, complete with a lush green lawn and seasonal fall festivities, before rolling out the full center by the first of the year. For more information, contact Peterson Landscaping at 928-985-2722 or visit gilavalleylandscaping.com.
