‘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
Leadership in Action: ‘Family, Community and Spiritual Connection’ Drives Success for Henry Richardson

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

Keep Reading Show less

Photo by Lynn Lane

HOUSTON GRAND OPERA’S second fall repertoire production is Gioachino Rossini’s Cinderella. The colorful, commedia dell'arte-inspired production opens Friday, Oct. 25, and stars Grammy Award-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard — a breathtaking brunette beauty, even when doused in soot — in bel canto role of Angelina, known to her mean step-sisters as “Cenerentola.”

Keep Reading Show less
Art + Entertainment

BRETT MILLER WAS just 10 years old when his parents took him to a screening of the 1925 silent film, The Phantom of the Opera, starring Lon Chaney as “The Phantom” of the Paris Opera House, with an accompanying soundtrack played live by an organist. The film contains one of the most famous “reveals” on celluloid (We won’t give it away!) and is all the more shocking when accompanied by live music played on the Phantom’s favorite instrument.

Keep Reading Show less