Get to know the people behind your favourite places & spaces in downtown Burlington! We’ll be introducing you to new owners & businesses throughout the year!

Meet Amol, Owner of SOBR Market Burlington.

1. Tell us a little about Sobr Market.

Without sounding like AI, our website says it really well! At Sobr Market, our mission is simple: bring the best non-alcoholic drinks to as many people as possible. Sobr Market was created from the belief that social experiences should not be compromised because someone chooses not to drink alcohol. As one of the first non-alcoholic importers and retailers in the Canadian market, we’ve developed strong relationships with brands worldwide, quickly becoming Canada’s largest retailer and distributor of non-alcoholic beverages.

2. Why did you choose Burlington Downtown to open your location?

The location and people, to put it very simply. The lakeshore area in Burlington is such a special place, having the store in a location that didn’t feel like a strip mall but instead like a community, really spoke to me. The continued support of the direct community around the store truly warms my heart and constantly supports that this was the perfect location to open the shop.

3. What downtown businesses do you frequent and do business with?

I mean, who doesn’t get their coffee at Tamp and pizza at Son of A Peach? I can’t say enough about my neighbours, The Hound & Herb, Modern You Aesthetics, and Susan at Desjardins. They all have been wonderful neighbours and amazing to do business with as a customer!

4. What’s the difference between dealcoholized and non-alcoholic beverages?

Non-alcoholic beverages skip fermentation, so they don’t produce any alcohol during production. Makers often use herbs and botanicals to recreate the flavors of their alcoholic counterparts. However, dealcoholized products, on the other hand, follow the same process as the full-alcohol versions. Afterward, producers remove the alcohol through an additional step.

5. Are you able to sell directly to restaurants and bars? Or are you just public-facing retail?

You will be pleased to know that we can sell to both restaurants, event venues, and art galleries (like the Art Gallery of Burlington *cough, cough* or the Burlington Performing Arts Centre…call me!). And, we also sell directly to consumers. Every day, I have the pleasure of meeting people who share stories about their choice to reduce alcohol consumption or embrace sobriety.

Moreover, these same people are often patrons at Burlington’s restaurants and venues, looking for non-alcoholic choices when they socialize. We can help bridge the gap between what customers truly want (but may be too polite to request) and what restaurants currently offer. Instead of settling for limited options, people can finally enjoy more diverse choices!

6. What are your top three favourite mocktails? (And could you give us a recipe for one of them?!?!)

Well, I can’t give all of my secrets away, even though I may be an open book! But I’ll tell you what, keep your eyes posted to the BDBA’s newsletters and socials for now. Maybe I may host a mocktail class. Join me to mix delicious drinks, take home the recipes, and even grab a discount on the products we use.

Learn more about the sober curious movement and the wide range of non-alcoholic offerings available at SOBR Market here!