A new drink destination has arrived at Rio Lakefront in Gaithersburg. Sip, a family-owned dirty soda and mocktail stand, recently opened next to Bear’s Shaved Ice near the carousel and playground, offering a menu of customizable dirty sodas, mocktails, energy drink mixes, sparkling water refreshers, and specialty beverages (preview video available below).
Owned and operated by Mindy Merrill, Sip is the result of what she describes as a true family effort. Her husband, Tyler Merrill, helps with the business, while their teenage children, Cameron and Jane, assist with management and social media. Even their two younger children have played a role through extensive taste-testing duties.
The family moved to Montgomery County in 2013 after spending time in Oregon, Utah, Alabama, Texas, and California. Mindy noted that their oldest child, who started kindergarten in Montgomery County, recently graduated from Quince Orchard High School…