WILLIMANTIC, Conn. — Reframe: A Dry Spot, a Willimantic bar with a twist, held its ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday. The business sells premade mocktails and has beer on tap, all alcohol-free.
Believed to be the first sober bar in Connecticut, it's more modeled after a coffee shop.
Frances McGrath, owner and operator, said she had the idea to start the business during the pandemic.
“I kind of came up with this idea and started thinking about it right around during COVID. That's pretty much when I got sober was right the fall before COVID. So, I was thinking about how I really needed a place to go and a place to be in a place that didn't serve or smell like alcohol,” said McGrath.
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A citation by the Connecticut General Assembly was read by Rep. Susan Johnson congratulating McGrath on the opening of her business.
“Rethink how you drink is a positive step towards exploring social gatherings and community relationships. “Congratulations,” read Johnson.
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Town leaders are excited a completely sober business opened in town, and glad places like Reframe are changing the narrative about the town that has had a reputation for drug abuse.
“This is poetic justice, because Willimantic is changing,” said Town Councilman Rodney Alexander Jr.
As someone who has been sober for many years, Alexander Jr. is glad there is a space to find community close by.
“This is awesome as a person who's in long term recovery myself, we need more of these,” said Alexander Jr.
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Community is why McGrath felt having a business like this was so important.
“A safe and sober space to build community," McGrath said. "You're here and you're enjoying the moment. You know, maybe you're not on your phone, you're playing a game you're talking to friends, whatever you're doing, you're having a good time.”
Reframe’s opening comes at a time when seeking sober environments and mocktails are becoming more popular especially among Gen. Z.
Since 2010, alcohol use in the state has been higher than the national average. The national survey on drug use and health found that most of the years since then Connecticut ranked in the top 10 states for drinking prevalence.
Click here to learn more about Reframe: A Dry Spot.
Jake Garcia is a multimedia journalist for FOX61 News. He can be reached at jgarcia@fox61.com. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
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