New shop offers booze without the hangover
A new store on Academy Road selling beer, wine, and the hard stuff is creating a buzz, but it’s not coming from the products on the shelves.
Shane Halliburton and his wife opened The Sobr Market a couple of months ago, following a pop-up version earlier this year in the Exchange District. He says it's the first bottle shop of its kind in Winnipeg, maybe even Canada, to sell non-alcoholic drinks exclusively.
Halliburton said he stopped drinking alcohol two years ago, but couldn't find another beverage he liked. That’s when he started ordering non-alcoholic booze from around the world, a case at a time, but it was costly.
"My wife and I kind of thought there are other people in the same boat like looking for these same drinks and why not just start bringing them in for everyone to enjoy,” said Halliburton.
Halliburton says the faux-booze cans and bottles look no different than their alcohol-based cousins for a reason.
"A lot of the people drinking these drinks want to look like they're just at the event, at the party, at the game, enjoying a drink just like everybody else," Halliburton said.
Dionne Potapinski is one of those consumers. “We just started really trying them this summer, have a pool, watch games, camp,” she said.
A competitive power lifter, Potapinski wants to cut out the calories and sugar while still fitting in.
"When I train, I just cannot have that much alcohol in my body when I want to recoup,” she said.
Research shows there could be a market for The Sobr Market. New proposed guidelines recommend no more than two alcoholic drinks per week for health reasons.
Recent studies show that people, in particular under 30, are drinking less, especially when non-alcoholic brands are available.
"The younger generation really seems more conscious of alcohol and limiting their amount or just completely avoiding alcohol," Halliburton said.
The Sobr Market has been busy so far, with customers even coming from out of province and south of the border. Halliburton said expanding to an alcohol-free bar or lounge could be next on tap.
“I will tell you that the seed has already been planted,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Biden greets Trump with handshake in Oval Office meeting
Donald Trump made a victor's return to Washington on Wednesday, visiting the White House for a lengthy meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden and committing to a straightforward transition of power as the president-elect moves quickly to build out his new administration.
'You couldn't open the door': Concerns over awareness of and access to Tesla emergency latch after 4 killed in Toronto, 5 killed in Wisconsin
When a Tesla crashed on Lakeshore Boulevard in Toronto last month, the first people on scene knew there were occupants inside but couldn't immediately get them out.
Mississauga, Ont. upholds ban on street sports, including hockey and basketball
Mississauga city council has voted to keep its residential street sports ban in place, meaning hockey and basketball on the road will remain out of bounds.
Guardian quits X social media platform, citing racism and conspiracy theories
British news publisher the Guardian said on Wednesday it will no longer post to X, citing 'disturbing content' on the social media platform, including racism and conspiracy theories.
Guns and drugs seized from organized crime group linked to Mexican cartel, RCMP say
Members of the RCMP’s federal police say they have arrested three men in B.C. for their alleged role in a 'transnational organized crime group' connected to Mexican drug cartels importing cocaine into Canada.
Overwhelmed families surrendering custody of their children to CAS
Overwhelmed families in Ontario are having to surrender their children to the Children's Aid Society, and according to the society, the residential crisis is part of the problem.
Trump's defence choice stuns the Pentagon and raises questions about the Fox News host's experience
President-elect Donald Trump stunned the Pentagon and the broader defence world by nominating Fox News host Pete Hegseth to serve as his defence secretary, tapping someone largely inexperienced and untested on the global stage to take over the world's largest and most powerful military.
From passport applications to letters to Santa: How will you deal with a possible Canada Post strike?
CTVNews.ca wants to speak to Canadians of all backgrounds, whether you're a parent, student, worker, professional or business owner, about their concerns regarding a possible Canada Post strike or lockout.
opinion King Charles and Prince William's secret millions exposed in new documentary
A new Channel 4 documentary has revealed unexpected details about the vast financial empire of King Charles III and Prince William, which has triggered public debate about royal wealth.