Santé is Calgary’s first-ever dry bottle shop, offering non-alcoholic options ranging from wines to canned cocktails and liquors. Given the growing interest in non-alcoholic options, it’s great to be able to stop into Santé and chat with experts while shopping a curated selection of the best zero-proof options on the market. Santé has even put together a Made In Canada collection so customers can support local non-alc brands. We chatted with founder and curator Jonathan Barembruch to learn more about Santé.
What is your business called and what does it do?
Santé Dry Bottle Shop – We are Alberta’s first and only exclusively non-alcoholic retail store. We carry a wide selection of non-alcoholic beer, wine, spirits, and cocktails.
What made you want to do this work?
Prior to founding Santé Dry Bottle Shop, I spent a long time in the restaurant industry but was most recently managing a liquor store. I always thought that my passion for beer and wine would push my career more towards the liquor industry, but that drastically changed when my wife became pregnant with our daughter, now three years old. My wife of course stopped drinking, and I wanted to find the best non-alcoholic drinks for us to enjoy at home. I soon found out there was a poor selection and not much access to non-alcoholic drinks. I decided to found Santé Dry Bottle shop to be able to source the best quality drinks and be able to shop in a store where someone really cares about non-alcoholic drinks.
What problem did you want to solve with the business?
I really wanted a space for consumers to shop for everything non-alcoholic. I knew there were already some online retailers available, but they don’t have someone readily available to ask questions to, or to make recommendations. I also really don’t think that you should have to go into a liquor store to get non-alcoholic drinks, and this could even be a trigger for some people who are sober!
Who are your clientele/demographics?
The great thing about non-alcoholic drinks is that they are for everyone! We see consumers of every age range, and so many backgrounds who have either reduced their drinking habits or completely abstain. Gen Z is a huge part of the sober-curious movement, with many having never consumed alcohol!
How does your business make money? How does it work?
We offer in-person shopping, as well as ordering online for local delivery, or shipping options. We also work with a few restaurants and bars to supply them with the best non-alcoholic drinks we can find!
Where in the city can we find your profession?
Our primary store is located inside Crossroads Market: 1235 26 Ave SE
We also have a small selection at Greenbriar Market + Refillery: 4535 Bowness Rd NW
What is the best question a prospective customer could ask a member of your profession when comparing services? Give the answer as well.
Many times we see new customers who are hesitant to try non-alcoholic drinks due to having some really bad ones in the past. For pretty much everything in our store, we sample it first to ensure it is a quality product, and so we can match them perfectly to consumers.
What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?
I love being able to provide a large variety of non-alcoholic drinks. One of the worst things is having to deal with shipping costs when ordering products, either within Canada, or abroad.
What is your favourite joke about your own profession?
I don’t know if there are many jokes, but there certainly are some interesting comments I get from people who pass by the store. Such as snidely asking, “What’s the point of non-alcoholic drinks?”, and when I explain the many reasons why someone may choose to drink non-alcoholic, they either get very defensive or quite awkward.
Where can we follow you?
PAY IT FORWARD: What is another local business that you love?
Greenbriar Market + Refillery is a great local business that focuses on sustainability. They have also been a great resource for me within my business!
