Dry Supply, a new store specializing in non-alcoholic beverages, opened its doors on Broadway Avenue in Saskatoon on July 1, 2026. Founded by friends James Kramer and Harrison Hall, the store aims to bridge the gap for individuals who choose to reduce or eliminate alcohol from their lives. According to Kramer, 'When people make the choice to cut back or completely negate alcohol from their lives, it creates a gap. We are hoping to be able to fill that gap.'
Filling a Void in the Market
Kramer and Hall, who have been friends for about 12 years after meeting while working in Saskatoon's hospitality industry, noticed a void in the Saskatchewan market for a store dedicated to non-alcoholic drinks. Dry Supply offers a wide variety of products, including non-alcoholic beer, spirits, wine, sodas, and pre-made mocktails. Hall explained, 'As someone who’s been working closely in this industry, I started noticing a shift in sales that way. I looked around and thought, why isn’t there a spot where it’s just specifically dedicated to non-alcohol?'
Bridging the Gap of Inclusion
The store's purpose extends beyond simply selling drinks. Hall emphasized that Dry Supply aims to eliminate the feeling of otherness often experienced by non-drinkers. 'We created this to bridge that otherness of, if you’re not drinking you might not necessarily feel like you’re involved,' he said. 'Or if you are trying to get non-alcoholic stuff, maybe going into a liquor store doesn’t make you feel super comfortable, even if you are there for non-alcoholic stuff. Or if you’re at a wedding and someone is doing a toast, you don’t feel like you’re included if you’re not drinking, because you don’t have options that feel like they fit. We wanted to get that otherness and take it away — bridge that gap, and find somewhere where everybody feels included.'
Backgrounds in Hospitality
Both founders bring extensive experience in the hospitality industry. Hall has worked behind bars or in restaurants since age 14, seriously for the last 18 or 19 years. He currently works for a craft brewery out of Edmonton called Sea Change but has worked in Saskatoon's industry for the last 12 years. Kramer started as a dishwasher at Montana's in Regina and has worked in the bar industry for about 15 years. He recently left POP Wine Bar and Primal in Saskatoon, where he served as sommelier, managing wine lists and floor wine sales. 'The hospitality industry has treated me very well in Saskatoon,' Kramer noted.
A Curated Selection of Non-Alcoholic Drinks
Dry Supply offers a carefully curated selection of non-alcoholic beverages sourced from around the world. 'We discovered there is a wide variety of drinks that are accessible to us with a little bit of effort from all around the world,' Kramer said. The store carries non-alcoholic beer, spirits, wine, as well as sodas and pre-made mocktails. 'There is a finite selection that we found in Saskatoon, and we are bringing in some beautifully curated items that can really elevate the experience for people that want to spend money on non-alcoholic,' he added.
Meeting the Growing Demand
The founders see a growing trend toward non-alcoholic options in Saskatchewan. Kramer noted, 'Both of us have been working in the hospitality industry for a long time. We’ve noted the big shift towards non-alcoholic beverages and the non-alcoholic cocktail programs that are taking place in a lot of restaurants around the city. We noticed that non-alcoholic beverages are popping up in different grocery stores and popping up in liquor stores. It was a prime time for us to recognize that this is what Saskatchewan is moving forward to, and what they are wanting right now.' By opening Dry Supply, Kramer and Hall aim to provide a dedicated space where everyone can feel included, regardless of their drinking choices.
