Today we’d like to introduce you to Robin Cummiskey.
Hi Robin, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I spent my career in retail, working in corporate buying and retail management, mostly on the fashion and accessories side. I loved the work of curating a collection, spotting what’s next, and creating spaces people actually want to spend time in.
Personally, I’ve had my own on-again, off-again relationship with alcohol, and discovering sophisticated non-alcoholic options really helped me make the lifestyle change that was right for me. But those options weren’t easy to find. There was plenty of soda and sparkling juice, but not much that felt elevated or special, and nowhere locally to go to learn about what was out there.
So I took the leap. Wallace Dry Goods opened in Ardmore in January 2024, and it’s important to me that it’s a place for everyone, whether you drink or you don’t. I want people to find surprise and delight in the drinks they make for themselves, their family, and their friends. What started as a bottle shop has grown into a community, with tastings, classes, and partnerships with local businesses I admire. It hasn’t always been easy, but every day I get to help someone discover something new, and that never gets old.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Definitely not, and I think anyone who expects a smooth road when starting their own business is setting themselves up for quite a ride. What’s important to remember is that every low comes with its highs, and finding your center while navigating both is what I call success. It’s something I’m still working on myself.
Some of the biggest challenges have been tight margins, carrying the weight of feeling like everything is on my shoulders (because it is), and finding the right partners for collaboration. Each of those has taught me something, whether it’s being more intentional with resources, learning to trust myself, or getting clearer on the kind of people I want to build with.
We’ve been impressed with Wallace Dry Goods, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Wallace Dry Goods is a non-alcoholic bottle shop in Ardmore, PA, offering a curated selection of alcohol-removed wines and beers, spirits that mimic your favorite liquors, and beverages that stand beautifully on their own. We also carry mixers, bitters, syrups, barware, and glassware, everything you need to make a great drink at home, with or without alcohol.
Before opening the shop, I spent my career in retail, working in corporate buying. That experience taught me how to curate a collection, spot what’s next, and create a space people genuinely enjoy spending time in. When I started exploring non-alcoholic options, I noticed how limited access was to sophisticated, adult choices. There was plenty of soda and sparkling juice, but not much that felt elevated or special. I knew I could bring a buyer’s eye to the category, and Wallace Dry Goods was born.
What sets us apart is that we’re more than a place to grab a bottle. Our message is Cheers to Choices™, and we mean it: there’s no judgment here, whether you’re sober, sober-curious, or just want a great drink without the hangover. We host tastings, mixology classes, and pairing events, often alongside wonderful local partners, so people have somewhere to gather, learn, and connect.
What I’m most proud of is the community that’s grown around the shop. Being named Philly Mag’s Best N/A Bottle Shop was a huge honor, but the best part is seeing people walk in curious and leave feeling like they found their place. I want readers to know that we’re here to help you navigate the world of non-alcoholic options, whether you’re shopping for yourself or stocking up to host. Stop by, tell us what you like, and we’ll help you find something you (and your guests) will love.
How do you define success?
On a personal level, success is finding my center through the highs and lows of running a business. For Wallace Dry Goods, it means a few things.
First, it’s building a business that’s self-sustaining. That may not sound glamorous, but as a small business owner, being able to keep the doors open, pay the bills, and grow on our own terms is a real measure of success, and one I don’t take for granted.
Beyond that, it’s whether we’re filling a void that genuinely needed filling. When I opened the shop, the goal was to make sophisticated non-alcoholic options accessible, but it quickly became about so much more than the product. Success is helping people feel comfortable in any social setting, with or without alcohol in their hands, and giving them the confidence to make the choice that’s right for them.
And it’s the community we’ve built. When customers come back to tell me about the dinner party where everyone loved the NA wine they picked up, or a guest who felt included because there was something thoughtful to drink, that’s success. Every conversation that helps someone feel a little more at ease with their options tells me we’re doing what we set out to do.
Pricing:
- Wine ranges from $18 – $49
- Spirits range from $25 – $50
- Individual canned drinks and beers range from $3.50 – $10. We do price everything individually so you can mix and match in six packs if you like.
- We have all of our product listed on the website as well if there are any specific pricing questions.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wallacedrygoods.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/wallacedrygoods
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092563435354
