Behind the Scenes of Launching a Cali Sober Community Hub

High Friends,

Two weeks ago, my husband and I made the decision to dive headfirst into building a Cali Sober-focused retail space. Now, here we are—making incredible progress, fueled by years of preparation I didn’t even realize I was doing. Looking back, it feels like my entire life has been training for this moment.

What’s most surprising to others is the pace at which we’re moving. But for me, this journey is plug and play—a new store with the same mission: creating spaces and experiences that embrace wellness, community, and alcohol-free living.

Here’s where we stand today:

• Licensing: State and parish approvals are done, with one last permit pending. Technically, we could open the doors right now.

• Operations: Insurance, banking, security, and utilities will all be finalized next week.

• The Space: The previous tenant, a CBD wellness shop, left the space in excellent condition—minimal build-out, just basic fixes and a fresh coat of paint. We’ll be done by Sunday.

• Inventory: I’ve been inspired by the thoughtful approach of Douglas and Victoria of Dry Atlas and their curated list on Airgoods. These insights have guided our product decisions as we expand on our already existing relationships with local distributors like Wines Unlimited.

I’m juggling branding, digital marketing, and Shopify setup myself (for now). It’s not perfect, but I’ve learned the hard way that waiting for “perfect” is just another way to stall. So, we’re launching as we build—because starting is better than waiting.

So please - visit the site, be sure to get on their email list for store updates and events (email will be separate from this list FYI) and share any feedback you may have! It means the world to me.

calisobermom

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The Vision
This store is more than just retail. Inspired by trailblazers like Spirited Away and Killjoy, I see it as a community hub. A place for education, events, and connection. It’s time to show people that the future of fun doesn’t have to revolve around alcohol. And what Britney is building with The Glitter Factory proves the need for these spaces in real life.

As women, we’re leading this movement, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of it.

A Moment of Gratitude
We’ve accomplished a lot in just two weeks, and I couldn’t have done it without my family and the incredible people who’ve offered their time, insights, and support. From my dad flying in next week to help with childcare to industry peers sharing invaluable advice, I’m beyond grateful.

This process is equal parts exhausting and exhilarating, but it’s all worth it. My 4-year-old picking paint samples with me was a reminder of why I’m doing this—to create a better future, not just for us, but for our entire community.

What’s Next?

• Social media accounts launch next week (Instagram and Facebook focused).

• Google Business and Yelp pages go live for opening.

• A growing list of local marketing partnerships I cannot wait to share soon.

This is just the beginning, but I already feel the momentum. Thank you for being part of this journey—it’s a privilege to share these updates with you. Stay tuned for more progress, stories, and behind-the-scenes moments next week.

Until then, let’s keep building a brighter, alcohol-free future together.

Get Dryer and Stay Higher My Friends ✌️

-Monica

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