‘Sober October’ Doesn’t Have to be Limited to One Month: Non-Alcoholic Shop Opens Near Rice Village

Therrón Francis
‘Sober October’ Doesn’t Have to be Limited to One Month: Non-Alcoholic Shop Opens Near Rice Village

FOR THOSE WHO don't drink — or are trying to cut back — look no further than the newly opened Sipple, a non-alcoholic bottle shop near Rice Village.


Driven by their passion for the alcohol-free movement, California native Danny Frounfelkner and his wife, Helenita, have opened a booze-free shop, hoping to break down barriers and stigmas around non-alcoholic beverages. They want to shift the question from "Why aren't you drinking?" to "What are you drinking?"

"Sipple is my brainchild, born from a lifelong love of complex flavors and the stories behind them," Danny said in a release. "I spent the last 20 years working in all areas of the hospitality and beverage industry, and wanted to create Sipple as a way of sharing my experience and love for this growing community with more people."

Born in Napa Valley, Danny spent the last decade leading beverage programs at some of Houston's top restaurants, including Indianola, Eloise Nichols, Adair Kitchen and Tiny Boxwood's. Helenita is a native Houstonian who grew up exploring Rice Village. Now, located on Quenby just a couple blocks from the Village, Sipple is the outcome of meticulous planning and searching.

With Sipple, the duo hopes to create a community and a "mindful marketplace" that brings together the makers of non-alcoholic beverages and the people who enjoy them.

"For me, I purposely challenged myself to become more mindful about my habits and lifestyle. I wanted to live a healthier, more full life, centered around intention, which led to me living an alcohol-free life," Danny Frounfelkner said in a release. "The drinks we are selling at SIPPLE offer all of the fun of drinking without the negative side effects."

Celebrate the grand opening this Saturday, Oct. 16 at 3pm. The Frounfelkners will be on hand to assist guests in experiencing a selection of more than 1,200 bottles of alcohol-free beverages by 50-plus brands, plus samples of wine from the UK's award-winning Noughty.

Helenita and Danny Frounfelkner

Inside Sipple

Food
Thrive & Inspire: Alchemy’s Arquella Hargrove ‘Inspired by People Making an Impact in the World’

Arquella Hargrove, Chief Culture Officer and Owner of the Alchemy Consulting Group

WHAT IS THE secret to running a successful business? The secret to a successful business is a rockstar team. With a rockstar team, clients experience the transformation within their culture. This also is connected to other success factors — a commitment to relentless change, communicating courageously, and collaborating to win. The ultimate goal is to be the change for our clients and to create a culture where team members thrive and grow exponentially.

Keep Reading Show less

Paella Valenciana at Mi Luna

THOUGH IT'S BEEN in Houston less than a decade, Sof Hospitality has made major inroads with foodies and critics alike. Its concepts include Doris Metropolitan, Hamsa and Badolina Bakery, all of which deliver the rich flavors of Israeli cuisine in complex, photogenic and delicious dishes. Its newest, Októ, opened earlier this year, one of several energetic restaurants to bow in the Montrose Collective, just in time for the holidays.

Keep Reading Show less
Food

Bill Viola’s ‘Ascension,’ on display as part of ‘Living with the Gods’ at MFAH

THE ARTIST WHO ushered in the expressionist movement in the early 20th century was not, in fact, Picasso or Matisse. It was Paul Gauguin, whose career spanned the decades just preceding the turn of the century. The French painter is the subject of the Museum of Fine Arts’ latest exhibit, Gauguin in the World, which was organized by Henri Loyrette (formerly of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay, Paris). The show, just one of the museum’s diverse winter season shows, debuted in Australia in June and will be on display through Feb. 16, 2025, at the MFAH, the only U.S. venue for the survey.

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment