Bars across Northwest Arkansas and the River Valley have seen drops in business this month as Dry January grows in popularity across the country.
SPRINGDALE, Ark. — Dry January, a personal challenge to forego alcohol throughout the first month of the year, continues to increase in popularity, with many citing health as the main reason.
Jessica Benovic, a nurse practitioner with the Cleveland Clinic, said that patients can nearly immediately tell a difference in their health after they start participating.
“Immediately, patients feel better. Their sleep is improved, concentration and memory levels are better. Your blood pressure comes down, your cholesterol levels come down. We know alcohol is a depressant, so it immediately boosts your mood when you stop drinking. Stopping helps with anxiety and depressive symptoms,” Benovic says.
While medical professionals say it’s a good thing, some local bar owners said they’re seeing a noticeable drop in business.
“Industry wide, Dry January definitely takes a toll. I think this year, the numbers have been down quite a bit for most of the industry. Even in Northwest Arkansas, talking to different bar owners and restaurant owners, the numbers are down, which is expected. But again, I think they’re a little lower this year,” said Alex Thaley, the owner of Botanical on 8th & A in Bentonville.
Not only does a drop in business impact the bar, but it also impacts the bars employees.
“Obviously they’re not getting as many tips, not being able to take home a bigger paycheck. I mean, it’s affecting, obviously, our being a small business and then being part owner, our pocketbooks as well, because the revenue isn’t as great,” said Justin Fleshman, owner of Cork and Keg in Fayetteville.
However, one way Botanical on 8th and A is keeping their business consistent is with the sale of their nonalcoholic beverages.
“It definitely changes up the customer mix or what they’re ordering. So we’ll sell more nonalcoholic (NA) beers. People specifically say that they are doing Dry January and will have NA Guinness or NA, you know, some other NA beer, or one of the mocktails. And these are customers that normally would have, you know, normal Guinness, or, you know, a full alcohol beer,” Thaley said.
Cork and Keg are following suit.
“Things that we’re trying to do is create a mocktail menu to alleviate some of that pressure from not getting the business from people that are participating in dry January,” Fleshman said.
If you want to continue supporting these businesses during this month, Benovic says one drink here or there isn’t the end of the world.
“Patients feel like it’s all or nothing and it’s not. I think any sobriety is better than no sobriety. If you slip, that’s okay, just start over tomorrow.” Benovic said.
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