The Open Road has been providing non-alcoholic spirits and beverages to the community of Pittsburgh as a safe space for those abstaining from alcohol or just those looking to try something new. After years in their Allentown space as the country’s oldest non-alcoholic specialty retailer, the shop is now moving to Penn Avenue in Garfield to provide a larger assortment…and a few other surprises.
The Open Road is Open to All
What started as just a temporary pop-up has become a haven for those looking to try alternative cocktail and spirit options. Owner Mel Babitz came up with the idea for The Open Road before the word “mocktails” (which she does not like for its use of the negative term “mock”) really took off in the 2020s.
“We launched in January 2020 as a Dry January pop-up bar at a coffee shop in downtown,” says Babitz. “I personally cannot drink alcohol, it just does not get along with my body. So this project came from a place of being in my twenties, wanting to go out and still have fun and even have a drink while I’m at it.”
After launching the Allentown storefront in March of 2022, Babitz worked to stock the shelves with beverages to please any kind of drinker. Because the world of NA spirits is constantly changing, her efforts have resulted in an ever-growing retail space that evolves along with the climate of this sector.
“It’s crazy because The Open Road looks totally different now than it did when we were planning things,” explains Babitz. “A lot of big NA spirit brands didn’t exist until after The Open Road launched into business so it became a big deal to have these essential retailers like Ritual on our January 2020 menu.”
Expanding Your Thinking on NA Products
You may think that The Open Road only carries the biggest and most familiar names in the NA game, but there’s so much more to explore. You can turn to this establishment even when you’re just looking for a beverage to give you health benefits or ease pain and stress in the body.
“When you enter our store you’re going to find over 400 options of non-alcoholic beer, wine, spirits, and ready-to-drink cocktails on the shelves,” says Babitz. “Half of the store is actually dedicated to functional beverages that actually do something to your body like caffeinated iced tea, nootropics and adaptogenic mushrooms like lion’s mane and reishi, or hemp-based drinks with CBD and THC products. We also make sure to have everything coded whether it’s pregnancy friendly, gluten-free, vegan, or a true zero, so that we can be as educational as possible.”
It’s not just national brands that The Open Road focuses on. You’ll find plenty of local varieties that allow you to explore what Pittsburgh has to offer without ever leaving the store. It’s a great way to discover new favorites and new places to hang out in the city that you know have accessible options.
“We actually carry a lot of local products from Jackworth Ginger Beer, Two Frays Brewery, Cinderlands, Arsenal Cider House, and so many other places,” ays Babitz. “It’s really cool to showcase these businesses to people because they’re doing such important things. Like Two Frays is still the only craft brewery in Pennsylvania making non-alcoholic beer.”
The Open Road Moves to Garfield
The move to Garfield will expand not only product selections but will also provide space for hosting events and embracing the community. Babitz helps promote the city’s Mocktail Meetup with Katrina Tomacchio in her spare time so there’s no telling what ideas flood her mind with the openness of the new space.
“We will be moving out of Allentown hopefully in October and we’re very excited to expand into our new Garfield location,” explains Babitz. “The new shop measures a little over double the space we’re in now, which will allow for plenty of new retail space plus the opportunity to open an on-premises bar.”
While no dates are specifically set for the move, you can keep up to date on The Open Road’s Instagram, Facebook, and website for details. Babitz is hoping to begin the move in October, open the new retail space in the fall, and finalize the non-alcoholic bar in the winter.
“This move really solidifies our original plans for The Open Road five years later,” says Babitz. “It brings everything back full circle. We cannot wait to finalize this move and continue to bring the world of NA spirits and beverages to Pittsburgh.”
Story by Kylie Thomas / Photo Courtesy of The Open Road
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