Booze-free bottle store opens in Grand Rapids

GRAND RAPIDS, MI — Banking on the growing recognition of non-alcoholic drinks, a pair of brothers have opened a totally alcohol-free liquor retailer in Grand Rapids.

The store, referred to as Alt Metropolis NA Bottles and Beer, is situated at 434 Leonard St. NW within the West Grand neighborhood.

Merchandise on the store embrace zero proof cocktail mixers, spirits, beer and wines.

Homeowners of Alt Metropolis NA Bottles & Beer are brothers Paul and Chard Clark, who personal Alt Metropolis Beverage Firm within the Grand Rapids Downtown Market.

The downtown market location gives non-alcoholic drinks, smoothies, teas and coffees. Collectively, the brothers have developed a menu of zero-proof cocktails for alcohol-free patrons to take pleasure in.

Whereas creating that menu, the Clark brothers met Neil DeMeester, who was a daily on the Downtown Market spot.

“I requested him to strive a non-alcoholic Paloma that utilized a tequila substitute, however he was a little bit hesitant,” acknowledged Chad Clark in a ready launch. “I didn’t know Neil had been sober for about seven years at that time and that this might be triggering for him.”

After DeMeester tried the non-alcoholic cocktail, he began concocting different cocktails at dwelling utilizing the Alt Metropolis Beverage Firm zero proof spirits.

Collectively, the brothers and DeMeester determined to create the non-alcoholic bottle store final yr.

“We had an concept and began on the lookout for the fitting area to solidify our idea,” DeMeester acknowledged. “We needed to be in an up-and-coming neighborhood that has character, so 434 Leonard felt like the right match.”

The 846-square-foot store is situated simply off U.S.-131.

The brand new non-alcoholic bottle store comes at a time when extra drinkers are turning towards low- or no-alcohol drinks than ever earlier than.

“There’s an increase in sober-curious customers, pleased to modify between sober nights and ingesting events, with 58% globally ingesting extra non-alcoholic and low-ABV cocktails than a yr in the past,” acknowledged the 2021 Bacardi Cocktail Tendencies Report.

Trade specialists say ingesting habits have modified dramatically, notably after the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns in 2020. Final fall, Forbes reported development within the no- and low-ABV sector by as a lot as 506% since 2015.

Whether or not somebody is underage, sober, or simply desires to combine it up with one thing new, the homeowners of Alt Metropolis NA Bottles and Beer wish to be certain that the beverage expertise for patrons is satisfying.

“The manufacturers we promote are all comparatively new, so we style all the pieces to verify the product aligns with what we wish to present to our prospects,” DeMeester acknowledged.

Together with promoting exterior manufacturers on the bottle store, the enterprise companions goal to launch their very own non-alcoholic wine and beer line within the subsequent month. They’re additionally engaged on a line of cocktail mixers made to pair with zero proof spirits.

Alt Metropolis NA Bottles and Beer is open 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday by Sunday. There shall be a grand opening celebration subsequent month to rejoice each the shop and dry January, when individuals decide to remain sober the entire month following the vacation season.

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