H.A. Hang: Robin of Wallace Dry Goods

The coolest part of our business has always been our clients. We’re amazed by all they do: CEOs and business owners, world travelers, authors, inventors, healers, entrepreneurs, newscasters, artists, pro athletes, musicians, caretakers, and philanthropists. 

We launched this series to share the stories of our clients and form connections within the H.A. community. Enjoy!

__________________________________

Home Appetit: Could you describe the shop for someone who has never been?
Robin Cummiskey: We’re a non-alcoholic bottle shop in Ardmore. We offer alcohol-removed wine and beer, spirits that mimic particular liquors, as well as beverages that stand on their own. We also have functional drinks, barware, mixers, cocktail books—really, there’s something for everybody.

How did the idea for Wallace Dry Goods begin?
My background is in retail, but in fashion. I stopped drinking a few years ago and one thing I struggled with was missing the socialization, being out and having something that tastes good, that isn’t just like a Shirley Temple or a Red Bull or a Diet Coke.

It’s so true—sharing a drink, especially this time of year, can feel connective.
In our culture, alcohol is associated with being an adult. If you’re an adult that doesn’t drink alcohol, you're made to feel kind of childish sometimes. For me, the point isn’t pretending, but about feeling included. I want a beautiful glass; I want an interesting flavor. I always tell people that even if they’re not drinking booze, you should take the time to use nice ice, use the good glassware.

That resonates–I love having a delicious non-alcoholic beverage to sip while I cook because I want the ritual without actually drinking.
We hear that from customers all the time—we have lots of things in the shop that can be mixed with booze or not. It doesn’t have to be as cut and dry as you’re completely not drinking. Sometimes it’s nice to have one or two cocktails, and then switch to something without alcohol.

I love that idea—what NA drinks do you love for the holidays?
De-alcoholized wines can be tough because the alcohol does give it a particular mouthfeel, but with sparkling wines, you get the carbonation and mouth feel back. I love Society De La Rassi, an occasion wine, as well as a Sovi Wine Co.’s Wild Child orange wine. These are not your grocery store non-alcoholic wines. They’re nuanced, delicate and delicious.

I also recommend Mad Flora’s Ophelia, an herbal, bittersweet amaro, with club soda or ginger beer or tonic. For something that works with or without alcohol, I like Abstinence’s Blood Orange Bittersweet. You can use it in place of an Aperol or Campari, you can go fully N/A, or replace any one of the three elements in a negroni.

What else is happening at the shop?
We always have something open on the bar to try. Wallace Dry Goods also hosts tasting events, like a pre-holiday wine tasting where we’ll open five different bottles and offer 10% off any purchases. They’ve also partnered with businesses like Blind Bear Beverages, @SoberinMontco, Bake Bake Philly, and Chef Jen Carroll to offer NA cocktail and pairing classes.

Shop In Person or Online:
Wallace Dry Goods
1 W Lancaster Avenue
Ardmore, PA
wallacedrygoods.com
@wallacedrygoods

And be sure to save the date for a Mom’s N/A Night Out at Wallace Dry Goods with us next month on Wednesday, January 21st from 5-7pm. Learn more and register here!