Wine Grab: Non-alcoholic bottle shop ready to pop up in Carytown
Point 5 owner Jody Short floated the idea to bring alcohol-free spirits to Richmond after practicing moderation during the pandemic. ,Philippe de Mott photos,
A new bottle shop is set to open soon in Carytown: Everything is non-alcoholic.
Point 5, in terms of the maximum ABV level a non-alcoholic drink is allowed, operates at 3435 W. Cary St.
Owner Jody Short, who is also a real estate agent with Joyner Fine Properties, is currently in the process of designing the 1,000-square-foot space and lining its walls with booze-mimicking brands, names that have gained a foothold in the beverage industry. Makes a small but growing area. ,
Once the home of Dermahue LLC, the Cary Street storefront will be Richmond’s first non-alcoholic bottle shop.
“We as a country, as a world, are so saturated with alcohol, you have to admit that you have to drink to enjoy yourself,” said Short, 51. Alcohol-free products are intended to make you feel “like an adult drink,” but you’ll have no regrets.
A shelf presents spirits that try and imitate the taste of wine without discussion, such as Liers and Free Spirits. Another rack displays brands like Bonebuzz and The Pathfinder, which are more inventive with their tastes.
Meanwhile, a display table sits in the middle, adorned with beer look-a-likes. Next to it is a fridge filled with THC-infused water.
Most bottles range from $25 to $40, with Melati Botanical being the most expensive at $50.
The small size of the up-and-coming industry could affect pricing, Short said, adding that there are still a minimum number of producers of such beverages and there are probably fewer than 20 such stores and just over 10 nationally. There are more non-alcoholic bars.
“They’re all made in small batches and they’re from really intimate companies,” she said.
Short appeared excited about this being the first standalone shop in Richmond to focus on the industry, but said not everyone can grasp the concept right away. To change this, she plans to host tastings in a few days and aims to join corporate events, restaurants and bars in the long run.
Short had the idea for Point 5 in 2020 after enjoying a long period of not drinking during the pandemic lockdown. The experience also made him realize the lack of options for non-drinkers, apart from a few products in large retail stores.
Point 5 will also offer other unique drink options, such as non-alcoholic beers.
Although the business remained an aspiration for the short for more than a year, the project was fast-tracked when Carytown space became available after the previous tenant, Makeup Clinic Derma-Hue LLC, relocated to Henrico at 8501 Maryland Drive. Short had leased the space from May 1 for three years.
At one point, doubts set in on the project: “About six weeks ago I was like ‘I’m overwhelmed, I don’t know if I can do this,'” Short said, but reminded himself that, “If I don’t do that. Don’t, I’ll never know.”
Currently, Short estimates that startup costs have risen to around $30,000. He has financed the entire endeavor with his own money, continuing his work at Joyner Fine Properties as a real estate agent.
There is also a small bar in front of the venue, where there are miniature plans to hold tasting events.
Point 5 isn’t Short’s first foray into the retail world. From 2006 to 2009, she ran Funky Threads, a local women’s clothing consignment store that closed when the recession hit.
Learning from that venture, she said she aims to have a huge web and social media presence with Point 5. At some point in the future, Short plans to start shipping online.
She also conducted a yoga program at her home called Simple Yoga, which ended a few months after Short joined the real estate industry. However, it did nothing to stop his entrepreneurial bug.
“I just like to start new things,” Short said. “Every time I feel like I’m ready to step back and not get much done, I come up with some more ideas.”
Short is planning an invitation-only opening for Point 5 on 22 June and a full opening on 23 June.
