PITTSBURGH — The Open Road on Butler Street in Lawrenceville looks like a liquor store, but the drinks are all alcohol-free.
“We have everything from non-alc beer, wine, spirits and cocktails,” said owner Mel Babitz. “This is our gins, vodka, tequila, rum and whiskeys.”
Babitz opened the shop five years ago for people who choose not to drink and for others like herself who can’t drink alcohol.
“I can’t digest alcohol,” Babitz said. “For me, I just feel sick right away.”
For millions of people, they’re taking a break from alcohol this month in what’s known as Dry January. It started about a decade ago and has grown ever since.
Arman Fashandi of Lawrenceville has been taking part in Dry January for the last five years.
“We like to drink wine but it’s good to cut loose and not have to do it in January,” Fashandi said. “I mostly do it for health reasons and to maintain weight.”
Health experts say cutting out booze has its benefits.
“Common experiences are better quality of sleep, possibly weight loss, clearer skin,” Babitz said. “I mean, alcohol is really just terrible for you.”
With more options out there and better quality, Babitz said she’s noticed more people turning to non-alcoholic drinks. For several products, Babitz says the taste is pretty spot on.
“Just like any, some are better than others, right?” she said with a laugh.
The trend is growing so much, Babitz said she’s expanding and moving out of the temporary space in Lawrenceville and into a bigger place in Garfield.
“This wave of non-alc has really just happened in the last couple of years,” Babitz said. “It’s just completely different, honestly in the best way than it was five years ago.”
Babitz is hoping to move into the new location at 5401 Penn Ave. in Garfield within the next month.
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