Grace Vroom was afraid sobriety would ruin her life. Instead, it made her a creative entrepreneur.

Grace is the co-founder of Dear Dry Drinkery, Austin’s only non-alcoholic bottle shop, which was located in East Austin. Dear Dry is more than a store. It’s a beautifully curated space where ritual meets intention — offering non-alcoholic wines, beers, spirits, and functional beverages that bring all the flavor and none of the hangover. Since launching as a tiny custom trailer, Grace and her husband Joe have built a thriving brick-and-mortar business that’s become a hub for conscious celebration, creativity, and community connection.

After this episode was recorded, Grace and Joe made the decision to permanently close Dear Dry Drinkery. Come back for episode 7 in two weeks to hear about what went in to that decision. In the meantime, this episode is still relevant and inspirational, even though Dear Dry is no longer in business.

What We Discuss:

In this episode, Grace and I talk about what it really means to rewrite your rituals and reclaim your life. Here’s what we explore:

• Grace’s sobriety story — what made her realize alcohol was draining her joy, power, and time

• How building Dear Dry Drinker started as a dream and took shape through scrappy action, a food truck, and a lot of courage

• Ritual, connection, and social pressure — and what happens when you decide to opt out of drinking

• How non-alcoholic beverages can help preserve celebration while protecting your well-being

• The emotional and logistical challenges of starting a small business from scratch in Austin

• The surprising gift of boredom, play, and doing "kid things" as a path to reconnect with joy

• The impact Dear Dry Drinkery is having on customers — and why one thoughtful conversation can keep someone on their sober path

This episode is for anyone who’s ever wondered:

• How to stop drinking without losing your social life or identity

• What a non-alcoholic lifestyle can actually look and feel like

• How to build a business from scratch, especially when people don't get your vision

• Where to find joy, beauty, and ritual — without the booze

• What it takes to start over and create something truly meaningful

Credit for Dear Dry Drinkery Photos: Carson Rounds

Subscribe to The Artist Rendezvous on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube for more conversations with inspiring creatives.

Follow The Artist Rendezvous:

• Instagram/TikTok/Youtube: @theartistrendezvous

• Website: www.theartistrendezvous.com

• Reach out to Samantha at hello@theartistrendezvous.com

The Artist Rendezvous celebrates the creative spirit of Austin, Texas, sharing stories of inspiration, risk, and the courage to create. Each episode explores what it means to live a creative life and the mindset shifts that enable artistic success.