Twin Cities' last nonalcoholic bottle shop is in danger of closing
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Marigold opened its Minneapolis location in 2023. Photo: Audrey Kennedy/Axios
Almost every nonalcoholic bottle shop in the Twin Cities has closed this year — and the only one remaining is on the brink of shutting down, its owner tells Axios.
The big picture: Nonalcoholic drink sales are booming nationwide as Americans cut back on alcohol.
Yes, but: The popularity of booze-free beverages means more establishments, including liquor stores and restaurants, are now stocking once hard-to-find products.
Driving the news: Three of the Twin Cities' four nonalcoholic bottle shops have already announced plans to shutter in 2026, leaving Marigold in south Minneapolis as the only dedicated storefront.
- Marigold's St. Paul location and Zero Proof, the Northeast Minneapolis shop that opened in 2023, both closed at the end of March.
- Lucille's Bottle Shop in downtown St. Paul announced its final sale earlier this month.
Zoom in: When Marigold owner Erin Flavin opened the city's first NA bottle shop in 2022, she had days with over $20,000 in sales.
- Now, her ability to stay open is determined "week-by-week," she told Axios on Wednesday.
What they're saying: "Big stores can sell things so much cheaper because they have the space and the liquor margins. It kind of makes my little store irrelevant — once people find what they want, they can go to their local neighborhood place," Flavin said.
- At one point, she considered selling alcoholic wine to stay afloat. She's now thinking of pivoting and using the space for a nail salon.
The other side: Flavin saw an increase in foot traffic and support after posting a video to Instagram sharing the business's struggles.
- During Audrey's interview with Flavin, staff from two hot Twin Cities restaurants stopped by to ask about collaborations or to purchase gift cards.
Zoom out: Liquor store industry leaders confirm that changing consumer tastes are changing what they stock and how they sell.
- "Five years ago, we might have had one or two NA options tucked on a shelf — now it's an entire section, and customers are asking for it by name," Minnesota Municipal Beverage Association executive director Paul Kaspszak told Axios.
Worth noting: While the Twin Cities scene is shrinking, nonalcoholic bottle shops still have a presence in greater Minnesota.
- Zero Proof Bottle Shop, which is not affiliated with the Minneapolis location, opened in Walker last June, while Lady Superior has been in downtown Grand Marais since 2024.
The bottom line: "I worked really hard to make not drinking cool in the city and, job well done," Flavin said on Instagram. "You can walk into any restaurant and get a cool drink with a friend, even if you don't drink."